Listing Summary

City of Commerce, GA                     
JOB DESCRIPTION                            

The City of Commerce is conducting an open search to fill the position of Police Chief due to the retirement of the current Police Chief. Candidates must be able to fulfill the duties, complete job functions, and meet the qualifications of the position as described below. The City of Commerce is looking to fill this position as soon as possible. Salary will be commensurate with experience.  Application review will begin on February 14th, 2025.

Police Chief
Department:    Police
Pay Grade:      118
FLSA Status:   Exempt
JOB SUMMARY
This position, under limited supervision, plans, organizes, coordinates and directs a variety of complex administrative, supervisory and professional activities for the Police Department, directs and controls enforcement of state and local laws designed for the safety and welfare of the public, as well as assists and liaises with Municipal Court. This position reports to the City Manager.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
•    Attends and participates in City Council and other professional or community meetings as necessary.
•    Develops and implements policies and procedures for the Department in accordance to best practices, as mandated by law, or by directive from the City Manager, to ensure efficient operations of the department.
•    Develops and implements short-term objectives and long-range goals for the department; establishes priorities for the continuous improvement of law enforcement services.
•    Directs and supervises the work of personnel; delegates duties to administrative personnel.
•    Directs department and division operations and administration to ensure the protection of life and property; directs the implementation of plans, policies, and activities.
•    Establishes controls to ensure that department activities are implemented according to plans and operating procedures.
•    Investigates and/or addresses complaints from the general public.
•    Maintains liaison with the District Attorney’s Office and City Attorney as necessary
•    Maintains professional development and discipline of all staff in the department; enforces adherence to appropriate federal, state, and local laws; ensures compliance with all departmental policies and procedures as well as the City of Commerce Personnel policies.
•    Maintains visibility and establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies or associations, city management, staff, and the public; coordinates multiple jurisdictional law enforcement activities with other agencies.
•    Oversees all department staffing activities; interviews applicants for appointment; conducts or participates in other phases of selection process and recommends appointments to the City manager.
•    Performs community outreach and public relations duties; makes public speeches to explain department operations, policies, and objectives; attends or conducts press conferences at the direction of the City Manager, special events, and civic activities as necessary; conducts crime prevention and community-oriented policing programs.
•    In consultation with Human Resources and City Management, plans and directs police training activities on a continuous basis. Approves all training and professional development programs and providers. 
•    Plans, organizes, and directs the overall administration of the department.
•    Provides consultation, direction, and administrative advice in major criminal cases and internal investigations; communicates with other law enforcement officials as necessary.
•    Reviews arrest and incident reports for completeness and accuracy; schedules judicial action as warranted.
•    Supervises and coordinates the preparation and presentation of an annual budget for the Department; directs the implementation of the department’s budget; plans and reviews specifications for new or replaced equipment; monitors the Department’s purchasing activities and ensures expenditures are made in strict compliance with City purchasing policies and ordinances and within the approved budget.
•    Provides monthly, quarterly, and annual department reports. 
•    Testifies in court proceedings.
•    Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Education and Experience:
•    Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, management, or closely related field; Master’s degree preferred.
•    Ten (10) years of progressive experience in law enforcement; experience in training, management, law enforcement administration, patrol, criminal investigations, budget administration, personnel supervision, or combination of the same is preferred. 

Required Licenses or Certifications:
•    Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia P.O.S.T. Peace Officer certification. 
•    Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:   
•    Knowledge of relevant federal and state laws and local ordinances.
•    Knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of law enforcement and police administration.
•    Knowledge of city and department policies and procedures.
•    Knowledge of traffic control techniques and practices.
•    Knowledge of management and supervisory principles and techniques.
•    Knowledge of financial and personnel management.
•    Knowledge of accounting and budgeting procedures.
•    Knowledge of the geography, population, and neighborhood characteristics of the city.
•    Skill in planning, organizing, analyzing, decision making, and problem solving.
•    Skill in gathering and preserving evidence.
•    Skill in the use of firearms and other standard and specialized equipment.
•    Skill in using a computer, calculator, copier and audiovisual equipment.
•    Skill in maintaining records.
•    Skill in public and interpersonal relations.
•    Skill in public speaking and making formal presentations.
•    Skill in oral and written communications.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must have physical tolerance to effectively work under adverse environmental conditions, extended or disrupted work schedules resulting in loss of sleep and meals, the stress of interacting with hostile or dangerous people, of assisting victims of violence or injury, and the changing parameters of legally mandated job responsibilities and limitations, and repetitive, routine patrol conditions that require riding for extended periods in a car.  Hand-eye coordination to aim and accurately fire a weapon, use police tools, demonstrate a field sobriety test, or write. Lift and carry objects such as property (e.g. televisions); equipment (e.g. duty bag, evidence kit, cases of ammunition); vehicle parts ( e.g. Truck tires, car wheels). Lift, drag or carry children and adults with or without assistance. Push/pull/drag objects such as stalled car across an intersection or off a roadway, dead animals (e.g. deer or large dogs) road debris or hazards (e.g., utility poles, tree limbs), move furniture, mattresses and other household items to conduct searches, maneuver people during arrests or when injured or assist another officer over a wall. Sprint short distances during deployment to pursue suspects, to escape hazards (e.g., fire, gunfire, toxic elements), or to assist victims requiring emergency assistance. Walk up and down flights of stairs; Crawl in confined areas (e.g., attics): Climb through small openings (e.g., windows) and pull self through openings. Effectively handle opposition during an arrest or in an emergency situation. Stamina to run for one-quarter of a mile on the average of up to a maximum of approximately one mile in order to apprehend a suspect. Must have near vision to identify and distinguish among objects (arm’s length or closed) such as fingerprints, serial numbers, trace evidence and read fine print on items. Far vision sufficient to identify license plates and vehicle makes at a distance and under various light and weather conditions, and distinguish one person from another, identify objects on a person or held in person’s hand, distinguish a weapon from an object other than a weapon, identify and describe clothing, height, weight, and facial characteristics form a distance and under various light and weather conditions. Must have color vision sufficient to identify and distinguish between colors and shades of color to identify narcotics, describe subject (e.g., clothing, hair, eyes), recognize and describe hazardous material placards on vehicles, identify vehicle tagging.  Must have hearing ability sufficient to understand general in-person and telephone conversation, and understand radio transmissions, cries for assistance when obscured by background noise, and discriminate among non-speech sounds (e.g., footsteps, voices, or alarms), and understand whispered conversation. Requires ability to read a variety of informational, technical, financial and administrative documentations, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures. Requires the ability to write reports and essays with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech. Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control, and confidence using correct English and well-modulated voice. Must be able to operate a variety of automated office equipment including but not limited to computer, printer, photocopier, calculator, telephone and various law enforcement equipment including but not limited to firearms, tasers, body cams, restraining devices, police vehicle, two-way radio, pager, and mobile telephone. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. The employee uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment including but not limited to computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat and vibration. It may be expected that the employee individual could be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials during the course of their duties.

The City of Commerce has the right to revise this job description at any time. This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.