Division Chief-City Of Wheat Ridge (CO)
: Job Details :

A national search is underway to attract a highly qualified individual to become the next Division Chief for the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced leader and collaborator to work in a progressive law enforcement agency in the heart of the Denver Metropolitan Area. Wheat Ridge seeks a police executive who is committed to advancing public safety, community policing, employee development, and promoting an outstanding quality of life for residents and visitors. Wheat Ridge is seeking a Division Chief who is passionate about the mission and enthusiastic about helping to advance policing in Wheat Ridge.

The Governing Structure

Wheat Ridge is a home-rule city that operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The City Council is comprised of eight members and an elected Mayor. The City Council serves as the governing body, while the City Manager is responsible for the city's $35.6 million budget, supervising the delivery of public services and implementing public policy approved by the City Council. Wheat Ridge is a limited-service city with other agencies providing emergency dispatch/9-1-1 services, fire, water, utilities, sanitation, and trash services.

Mission

The Wheat Ridge Police Department is committed to providing the highest standards of service in partnership with the community.

The Community

The City of Wheat Ridge has a population of approximately 32,000 within its 9.5 square mile boundaries. Wheat Ridge borders the western edge of Denver and embodies the deep roots of a city with a rich history and a strong sense of community. The City is home to 24 beautiful parks, 274 acres of protected open space, four lakes, and more than seven miles of trails along Clear Creek, with opportunities for walking, biking, horseback riding, and nature viewing. The Parks and Recreation Department operates a remarkable 70,000-square-foot recreation center with an abundance of programming for all ages. The City's ideal climate brings more than 300 blue-sky days per year – more than San Diego and Miami Beach.

Wheat Ridge's central location provides short commutes to major interstates, the majestic Rocky Mountains, and the amenities of metropolitan Denver. With easy access from Interstate 70, skiing, hiking, and a wide range of internationally acclaimed mountain sports are less than an hour away. The commuter rail station in Wheat Ridge provides residents with greater access to the metropolitan area as well as Denver's International Airport.

Wheat Ridge offers a mix of retail/commercial businesses and unique residential neighborhoods. There are several large-scale redevelopment opportunities, as well as ongoing development in multiple commercial areas within the city. The community is also home to a large regional hospital complex, SCL Health Lutheran.

The Wheat Ridge community is proud of the high-performing Jefferson County Public Schools, which provide a quality education that prepares all children for a successful future. For those seeking higher education, residents and businesses have easy access to world-class research institutions, including the University of Colorado and Colorado School of Mines and nearby Red Rocks Community College.

The Police Department

The department is led by Chief Christopher Murtha, who came to Wheat Ridge three years ago from Prince George's County, Maryland. This opening arises because the previous division chief recently became the police chief for another city in the Denver Metropolitan Area. The Wheat Ridge Police Department (WRPD) is a state and nationally accredited agency dedicated to providing professional police services to the community. Under Chief Murtha's leadership, WRPD's policing model focuses on relationship-based policing, which seeks to strengthen connections between the Wheat Ridge Police Department, the City government, and the community through interactions and dialogue that build mutual respect and trust. This model calls for the department and all stakeholders to have a shared responsibility for developing strategies to decrease crime and increase the quality of life for everyone who lives, works, plays, and travels within Wheat Ridge.

With a $13.2 million operating budget, the department's budgeted strength is 89 sworn officers and 20.5 civilian personnel who serve under the leadership of the Chief of Police. WRPD has two divisions, Patrol and Support Services, each led by a Division Chief. In the department's current configuration, both Emergency Management, Professional Standards and the Press Information Officer report directly to the Chief of Police, while Division Chiefs lead the department's two divisions, Patrol Operations and Support Services.

The Patrol Operations Division is supported by two Commanders. In addition to providing 24-hour patrol services, the Patrol Operations Division operates four special units: Crime Prevention (includes school resource officers), SWAT (member agency of West Metro SWAT), Crash and Traffic (collision investigation and traffic enforcement), and the Community Services Team (code enforcement, nuisance violations, animal control, and park regulations).

The Support Services Division is also managed by a Division Chief and supported by a Commander. This division includes the Investigations Bureau (persons and property crimes, drug task force, vice/intelligence, and auto theft task force), the Records Team, Crime Analysis Unit, Property and Evidence Unit, and Training and Accreditation.

Qualifications

Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of City and departmental rules and regulations; principles, practices, techniques of modern police work; principles of assessing training needs; considerable knowledge of the principles of leadership, supervision, organization and administration; thorough knowledge of federal, state and local laws, ordinances, and civil liability; knowledge of City Budgeting Process and System; basic knowledge of grant writing.

Skills: Demonstrated skill in preparing written reports and projects; skill in the operation of equipment necessary to enforce codes and regulations; strong mathematical skills needed for budget preparation and crime analysis; high level of customer service skills; advanced project management and analytical skills; excellent relationship building skills; excellent computer skills and understanding of technical systems.

Abilities: Plan, assign, instruct, supervise and direct the work of subordinate personnel engaged in carrying out the various functions of a law enforcement agency in a manner conducive to high morale and quality performance; to enforce codes and regulations firmly, tactfully, and impartially; analyze evidence and facts and to draw sound conclusions based on such analysis; analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper courses of action to be taken; to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; speak with poise, voice control and confidence; establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, the public, and other agencies.

Evidence of Qualifications

Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in law enforcement, public administration, or a closely related field required; Master's Degree or an equivalent combination of advanced police executive education and experience preferred.

Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of experience as a manager or administrator, at the rank of police sergeant, or higher.

#J-18808-Ljbffr