Police Lieutenant

Summary:

This is a command professional position under the limited supervision and direction of the Police Chief and Deputy Police Chief. Lieutenants function in a role consistent with a bureau commander and are responsible for the overall management and administration of a major division within the Police Department.

Essential Functions:

Work activities involve multiple skills and may include any or all of the following, depending on assignment, business needs, emergency services, special projects, and/or seasonal factors:

• Demonstrate leadership ability to influence staff to engage in service and activities that support and advance the department's overall Mission and Values.
• Ensure that the Department maintains a high level of accountability and transparency.
• Provide leadership and direction to staff about expectations and work needed to achieve the Department's strategic priorities.
• Provides incident or operational command during unusual occurrences, major crimes, or tactical incidents; develops plans, control deployed resources, inspects practices, and evaluates outcomes to improve police services.
• Compile, analyze, recommend, and manage appropriate Department resources to address crime trends that align with crime data and the implementation of crime prevention programs.
• Prepare and complete presentations to the Media, City officials, community groups, and other Department stakeholders about Department-related activities.
• Manages, anticipates, and facilitates planning for short- and long-range needs of the department.
• Represent the City by maintaining a professional approach and demeanor in all activities.
• Manages and oversees employee conduct to ensure compliance with the law, Department Policy, training standards, and collective bargaining agreements. This includes conducting investigations of matters involving allegations of misconduct or rendering investigative findings.
• Recommend corrective/disciplinary action or commendations as appropriate.
• Informs the Police Chief and the Deputy Police Chief of issues or things that may have a significant impact on the Department, City, and/or the community.
• Provide management oversight to assigned staff, including sergeants, officers, and civilian employees. Must possess the ability to positively influence others in their actions and performance.
• Develop and manage budgets for the assigned work unit.
• Develop effective working relationships with employees, City staff, other law enforcement agencies, the Criminal Justice system, and members of the community.
• Consistently evaluate, interpret, and apply policies and practices to ensure that they are in compliance with legal standards, community values, and best practices.
• Identify, manage, and recommend changes in Department policy, procedure, training, and practices.
• Coordinate the activities of the assigned functional area with other divisions within the Police Department and with other agencies and jurisdictions.
• Serve as a Community liaison for different sectors of the community. Prioritize and manage Department engagement efforts that improve relationships with community groups.
• Manage and promote the health and wellness of employees.
• Manage and evaluate staffing needs for a functional area or division.

Associated Functions:

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• The position may assume the responsibilities of the Deputy Police Chief in their absence as assigned by the Chief.
• Recruit, hire, assign, train, supervise, and evaluate staff work and ensure that direct reports do the same.

Performance Requirements (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Knowledge of:

• Theory, principles, and practices of delivering police services.
• Modern and complex principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Federal, state, and local laws as well as court rulings.

Skill in:

• Good communication both orally and in writing, and the ability to make presentations to a variety of groups and organizations.
• Read, write, and speak the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance.

Ability to:

• Supervise the activities of professional, technical, and clerical employees in a manner conducive to effective and efficient work performance and positive morale.
• Identify and solve complex issues and problems.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergencies, render prudent and logical decisions.
• Make decisions affecting the quality and quantity of police services.
• Use a personal computer with associated software, standard office equipment, cellular telephone,
• 2-way radio, pager, firearms, department vehicles, and standard law enforcement equipment.
• Use tact, discretion, respect, persuasion, diplomacy, and courtesy to gain cooperation of others and establish and maintain effective teams, professional relationships, and rapport with elected officials, management, employees, representatives of other entities, and the public.
• Mentally alert always and apply sound judgment, analytical, and creative problem-solving skills to make reasoned, timely, and consistent decisions. Facilitate effective conflict resolution.

Working Environment & Physical Demands

The physical demands and characteristics of the work environment described here are representative of those involved in performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform these functions.

Majority of work is performed indoors in an office environment; however, some work is performed out-of-doors in all types of weather. Physical fitness standards of the department must be maintained due to the nature of the job and the potential for damage to health, life, and property. Duties require manual dexterity, visual acuity, eye-hand coordination and the ability to lift and move items up to 50 pounds as well as occasional work in high places. Work shift is typically during business hours and days, but varying shifts and holidays may be required, as well as being subject to call 24 hours per day. Some attendance at evening meetings is required.

Safety Statement:

We expect employees to ensure compliance with all applicable safety practices and policies, including those established by OSHA/DOSH regulations and the City’s Accident Prevention Program (APP). This includes, but is not limited to, actively identifying and correcting potential hazards that may affect employee and public safety, including those identified by co-workers. Leading by example to promote a positive culture of workplace safety through everyday action, emphasizing safe completion of work throughout all aspects of developing and carrying out work plans.

Minimum Qualifications:

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential job functions may be considered.

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Associate’s degree in criminal justice, or related field.
• Eight (8) years of continuous full-time law enforcement experience with a minimum of eighteen (18) months experience as a first-level supervisor, sergeant or greater, in the law enforcement field.
• First Level Supervision and Middle Management Certification for Washington State Criminal Justice Training certification within first twelve (12) months of employment.
• Valid driver’s license and the ability to provide a driver’s abstract showing a good driving record.
• US Citizen at the time of application.
• Willingness to attend the FBI National Academy, PERF SMIP, or similar executive leadership training.
• Candidates completing out-of-state certification must attend and successfully complete the Washington State Academy through the Basic Equivalency Program by first available course and no later than the first nine (9) months after employment.
• Successfully complete background investigation, which includes screening of criminal history, prior sexual offenses, and driving record abstract verification.
• Conditional employment offer will include a medical exam with drug screen, polygraph, and psychological evaluation for aptitude to work in law enforcement.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, or related field.
• Experience in a leadership position of Lieutenant or above.