Police Chief

Position Summary: 

The Chief of Police, as the chief administrative officer of the Humble Police Department, shall possess final authority in all matters of policy, operations, and discipline. The Chief of Police shall also be responsible for the efficient allocation of resources of personnel and materials provided to the department by the Humble City Council through the budgetary process.  They shall exercise all the lawful powers of their office in assuring that these responsibilities are met, and they shall issue such orders as are necessary to ensure the effective performance of the department.

Through the Chief of Police, the department is responsible for the enforcement of all laws coming within its legal jurisdiction. The Chief of Police is responsible for planning, controlling, directing, coordinating, and staffing all activities of the department. The Chief of Police is responsible for the department’s continued and efficient operation; for the enforcement of all rules, regulations and general orders within the department, and for the completion and forwarding of such reports as may be required by proper authority. The Chief of Police shall also be responsible for the department’s relations with local citizens, the local government, and all other related agencies, both public and private.

The Chief of Police shall have general charge of the police headquarters and all other property of the Humble Police Department, and they shall be accountable to the City Council and City Manager for the administration of the department. The Chief of Police will make written and verbal reports regarding their administration of the department to the governing bodies of the City, as needed or directed.

In summary, it shall be the responsibility of the Chief of Police, as the executive director of the department, to lead the officers and staff of the Humble Police Department by example, thereby nurturing and indoctrinating the organization’s values, beliefs and guiding principles into its members. In doing so effectively, it is believed that a sense of organizational synergy will develop among all personnel such that the Humble Police Department as a whole will be recognized as one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the criminal justice profession.         

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Be directly responsible to the Humble City Council and City Manager for the conduct of the department’s affairs.
• Act as the executive director of the department.
• Act with the Humble City Council in an advisory capacity, without vote.
• As appropriate, make recommendations for the adoption of new city ordinances or, as needed, amendments to the existing municipal code.
• Prepare periodic and special reports, and ensure that adequate, accurate records are maintained for all departmental activities.
• Serve as liaison and cooperate with other law enforcement executives in the detection, apprehension and detention of wanted persons, as well as with other agencies as appropriate.
• Ensure that all complaints from citizens are properly received and investigated.
• Attend social functions and other public meetings to maintain good communications and favorable public relations.
• Formulate and implement policies, regulations, and other orders governing the department’s responsibility for self-management and public accountability.
• Organize, direct, and control all resources of the department to ensure the preservation of peace, protection of persons, and security of property within the parameters of applicable law.
• Assign, detail or transfer any employee to or from any assignment whenever deemed necessary for the efficiency, discipline or morale of the department, or when such action is judged to be in the best interest of the department.
• Investigate or cause to be investigated all cases of alleged or apparent misconduct by department members.
• Stay informed of departmental affairs, ensuring that the duties and responsibilities of all members of the department are properly discharged through the established chain of command.
• Maintain the internal affairs and disciplinary records of the department.
• Assume responsibility for the overall discipline of the department and for the disposition of all disciplinary matters, up to and including suspensions and terminations.
• Be responsible for preparing and submitting the department’s annual budget to the city manager.
• Must oversee the fiscal affairs of the department and manage the department’s budget by controlling the expenditures of departmental appropriations throughout the fiscal year. 
• Oversee the recruitment and hiring of all department personnel.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the equipment, training techniques, principles, methods, and practices of professional law enforcement management, as well as knowledge of modern philosophies, trends and operations. 
• Knowledge of the geography of the city, including major streets, buildings, and landmarks, and knowledge of the City’s emergency operations command center. 
• Knowledge of budget preparation and administration, knowledge of departmental strategic planning process; as well as knowledge of City codes and ordinances, and the municipal government organization and functions. 
• Knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, and codes pertaining to law enforcement and investigation standards.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, methods, and techniques of law enforcement and investigation activities, and the ability to write reports, policies and procedures, training materials, and correspondence. 
• Knowledge of public sector budgeting, purchasing, and personnel practices. 
• Knowledge and experience in the techniques of writing plans and procedures. 
• Must possess skills in supervision, leadership, and interpersonal relations; in observing and evaluating subordinates; in problem-solving and decision-making; in presenting ideas, facts, technical information, opinions and/or perceptions accurately, thoroughly, persuasively and in a manner easily understood by the intended audience. 
• Must possess administrative skills relating to large-scale department management, budgets, and financial practices. 
• Skilled in performing effectively in interpersonal situations and the execution of managerial responsibilities; interact positively with others; demonstrating tact and courtesy in communications and work cooperatively. 
• Skilled in effective communication both orally and in writing. 
• Skilled in effective time management and resource utilization. 
• Skilled in the uses of work aides, such as a personal computer, ten-key calculator, and telephone. 
• Skilled in a variety of computer software applications in word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software, such as MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint. 
• Skilled in establishing a rapport and eliciting cooperation from co-workers, team members, and citizens. 
• Ability to lead and motivate a strong, capable, well-equipped and adequately trained workforce. 
• Ability to use sound judgment and react calmly under emergency conditions; ability to plan, assign, direct, review, and supervise large-scale operations of Police Department equipment and personnel under emergency conditions. 
• Ability to evaluate complex situations, recognize danger, and take immediate action necessary for the protection of life and property. 
• Ability to manage the administrative functions of the department; ability to interpret, apply, and establish rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; ability to give orders and gain compliance from subordinates. 
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the public, special interest groups, civic/volunteer groups, other law enforcement agencies, and supervise subordinate operational and supervisory personnel; knowledge of conflict management, goal-setting techniques and team-building techniques. 
• Ability to direct departmental programs; must possess qualities of leadership, initiative, and the abilities to make decisions, inspire others, and communicate both verbally and in written form. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and utilize interpersonal skills necessary to deal with all kinds of people in stressful situations.
• Ability to actively listen and demonstrate competence and interest to the general public, citizens, and co-workers, and be capable of working full-time. 
• Ability to confront potentially dangerous situations without displaying fear and to maintain calm composure during emergency situations. 
• Ability to make sound, independent judgments. 
• Ability to research and present information in a logical manner to facilitate learning; ability to analyze experience data; ability to interpret and apply codes and ordinances. 
• Ability to write correspondence, instructions, plans, and announcements in a logical manner to convey ideas and facilitate learning; as well as the ability to write code revisions, ordinances, reports, recommendations, evaluations, performance evaluations, and correspondence. 
• Ability to read and understand written instructions, ordinances, regulations, technical manuals, and reports. 
• Ability to communicate ideas in a manner that facilitates understanding. 
• Ability to hear and understand oral communications, both in person and by telephone and radio. 
• Ability to present a positive image of the City at all times.

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Minimum age requirement – 21 years of age. 
• Must possess a valid Texas Driver’s License. 
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Management, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Completion of FBI National Academy and/or Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas Program, Southern Police Institute, Southwest Legal Command Management College or similar program.
• Must possess a Master TCOLE License.
• Prior experience as a Police Chief, or Deputy/Assistant Chief, or a command-level officer in a community similar in nature and size, or larger.
• Ten years of experience in police work, with at least five years of supervisory experience, demonstrating knowledge of and proficiency in police department administration and organization, and leadership/management capabilities are required. 
• Must possess and maintain a good credit history and financial record. 
• Must be able to pass a background check. 
• Must be able to pass a drug and alcohol screening, physical and physical abilities test.

Essential Position:  

This position is essential to the provision of emergency services during and/or following a disaster.  Employees in this position may be required to remain on duty during a man-made or natural disaster, despite a general evacuation order for the area.  Such employees are also expected to remain available for their normal shifts and for recall to emergency duty, unless specifically released by City Management to evacuate.  Employees in this position are specifically advised to plan accordingly for these circumstances and that any failure to adhere to these requirements may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions:

In carrying out the duties of the Assistant Chief of Police, one could expect to routinely encounter the following approximations with regard to exposure and conditions: 

• Routine work indoors 90% of the job. 
• Routine work outdoors 5% of the job. 
• Routine work in vehicles 5% of the job.

The statements contained in this job description reflect general details to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility. It should not be considered an all-inclusive list of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other divisional areas to cover for absences, to equalize work during peak periods and/or otherwise balance workload.