POLICE CHIEF - CITY OF WESLACO : Job Details

Job Summary

The Police Chief is responsible for the overall planning, administration and operation of the Weslaco Police Department in accordance with applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations. This is an at-will appointed position, not covered by civil service regulations or the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City of Weslaco and its Police Officers. Incumbent is responsible for the supervision of civilian and non-civilian employees of the Police Department.

Essential Job Functions

• Plans, coordinates and directs the provision of police law enforcement.
• Provides and oversees the performance of all department staff including professional development, training, discipline, maintenance of equipment, crime prevention, suppression of crime, community policing as well as maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of all personnel.
• Prepares and coordinates the presentation of annual budgets; directs the implementation of the departments' budget; plans for and reviews specifications for new or replaced equipment and controls the expenditures of the department.
• Reviews, administers and develops the department's operating and capital budget plan to insure adequate and timely replacement and/or repairs of department capital equipment.
• Responds to incidents and assumes command at the scene of emergencies in accordance with department policies; provides back-up to other police personnel in accordance with NIMS and the Incident Command System.
• Oversees the maintenance of the police department building, grounds, equipment and fleet, maintains and controls access to police department records, statistical data, evidence and property control
• Represents the City at various ceremonial events and other City-sponsored events.
• Communicates with and attends public events as requested by various local organizations, service clubs and civic groups.
• Conducts investigations of subordinates as required.
• Reviews search and arrest warrants; appears and testifies as a witness in an official proceeding to assist the department's role in the judicial and administrative process.
• Oversees the design and implementation of the department's community relations programs; attends related meetings as required.
• Provides information and reports regarding the police department's activities and operations as required.
• Conducts independent research regarding department operations as necessary.
• Maintains current knowledge of applicable laws and statues, pending legislation pertaining to law enforcement.
• Performs other similar or related duties as assigned.
• Maintain regular and prompt attendance, physically present to work.
• May be required to work beyond normal business hours at night and/or on weekends in response to emergency situations.

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements

• College Degree preferred with more than ten (10) years of experience in the law enforcement field of which five (5) of those years were in a supervisory position; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Advance Texas Peace Officer's License.
• Applicant must pass pre-employment criminal background check and drug screen at City's expense.
• Applicant must have current valid Class C Driver's License issued by Texas Department of Public Safety and be insurable.
• Must successfully complete Emergency Management and Incident Command Training.
• Bilingual English/Spanish Preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Extensive Knowledge of the principles and practices of modern police administration and law enforcement methods and techniques.
• Extensive knowledge of the standards by which the quality of police service is evaluated and the use of police records and their application to police administration.
• Thorough knowledge of statues and ordinances relating to law enforcement.
• Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of a large number of subordinates performing varied operations connected with police and emergency medical activities.
• Working knowledge of the criminal and juvenile justice systems.
• Knowledge of budgeting techniques.
• Ability to work tactfully and communicate courteously with the public on a daily basis.
• Ability to supervise subordinates in a positive and effective manner and to delegate authority efficiently.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious and productive working relationships with City officials, other law enforcement officials, and the public.
• Extensive judgment and ingenuity are required to develop new or adapt existing methods and approaches for accomplishing objectives or to deal with new or unusual requirements within the limits of the guidelines or policies.
• Ability to plan, assign, direct and review the work of subordinates and to direct large scale operations of personnel and equipment making sound judgments under stressful life-threatening situations.
• Ability to deal with disgruntled members of the public in a diplomatic and effective manner.
• Ability to perform the duties and functions of a police officer in emergency situations.
• Proficient oral and written communications skills.
• Proficient supervisory and personal computer, word processing, spread sheet and data inquiry software in support of department operations.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

• Work requires moderate intermittent physical strength and effort daily, such as, lifting heavy objects (up to 60 lbs.), carrying the object(s) and stacking them or placing them in a vehicle or storage area.
• Work requires a high degree of individual tolerance to combinations of extremely unpleasant elements, or mental stress from constant conflicting urgent time and attention demands of the utmost priority.
• The nature of the physical environment may be such that the employee's personal well-being and/or safety is constantly compromised such as police personnel.
• Pulling, pushing, standing, or walking for the full workday may also be involved.
• A great deal of physical effort may be required to be exerted in responding to emergency, life-threatening conditions.
• Travel, particularly during adverse weather conditions and troublesome road conditions and at times during the evening is required.
• Visual demands require routinely reading documents for general understanding, reading documents for analytical purposes and reviewing non-written materials.

Any applicant selected for employment with the City of Weslaco must receive satisfactory results from pre-employment drug testing, references, background checks, and credential verification.