CHIEF OF POLICE

Nature of Work

The Chief of Police shall be vested with the authority and shall have the responsibility for supervision, management, operation, and direction of the Greenwood Police Department. The Chief of Police shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by a majority vote of the City Council. To fulfill the mission, goals, and objectives of the Greenwood Police Department, individuals applying for the position of Chief of Police must meet and maintain the same essential functions as those of an entry level officer. This position is classified as “EXEMPT” under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

They are as follows:

• Speak, write and read reports and comprehend other documents
• Handle human relations problems
• Engage in physical activities
• Operate a patrol vehicle
• Enforce traffic laws and manage traffic accidents
• Arrest and detain persons
• Use physical force to control persons
• Use deadly force
• Conduct search and seizure
• Protect a crime scene and collect evidence and information
• Conduct initial investigations of various crimes and events
• Provide emergency assistance
• Present testimony

An applicant for the position of Chief of Police for the Greenwood Police Department that cannot perform these essential tasks will not be accepted. An employee in the position of Chief of Police who is no longer able to comply with these requirements will be referred to the Mayor for appropriate action.

Examples of Work

In addition to the general duties required above, the Chief of Police of the City of Greenwood performs the following specific duties. Deviations from the duties within the job description are subject to prior written approval of the Mayor.

• Maintain and enforce adherence to state law, department philosophy, policies and procedures, and standards.
• Set and maintain the highest standards of fairness, attention to duty, and accomplishment of the mission established by the Chief’s office and city administration.
• Maintain quality public relations.
• Develop, submit for approval, oversee expenditures, and show accountability for the departmental budget.
• Establish and maintain liaison with public officials, and local, county, state, and federal agencies.
• Oversee development, implementation, and management of an integrated crisis management plan which incorporates action by the department with action to be performed by other local, state, and federal agencies.
• Oversee development, implementation, and management of an ongoing quality assurance program designed to evaluate the department’s consistency of quality of services delivered to the community.
• Make presentations to supervisors, boards, commissions, civic groups, and the general public as assigned.
• Delegate departmental authority and duties.
• Supervise and evaluate the Deputy Chief of Police and all other subordinate personnel.
• Study records and reports to determine current conditions of the department, and obtain information on which to base departmental programs, policies, training, operating needs, and service demands.
• Review recommendations for dealing with problem personnel, and support disciplinary action.
• Oversee the testing and promotion system.
• Oversee the administration of demonstration of proficiency examinations, and assign officers for remedial training as needed.
• Interview officers and employees eligible for promotion.
• Provide professional advice to the Mayor, City Council, and other city or local agencies upon request.
• Assist city officials in policy development, objectives, and goals.
• Manage personnel, fiscal, and property assets of the department.
• Delegate authority to subordinates in the accomplishment of established objectives and goals.
• Oversee departmental motor vehicle fleet.
• Oversee coordination of media relations programs.
• Perform uniformed routine patrol duties in two-hour tours on each shift at least monthly.
• Research and recommend for implementation the reorganization of the police department’s organizational structure.
• Any other duty assigned by the Mayor.

The Chief of Police shall:

• Manage, direct, and maintain peace and order in the City of Greenwood through the law enforcement functions of the Greenwood Police Department, and the authority vested in the office of the Chief of Police.
• Develop, periodically review, and implement departmental philosophy, policies and procedures, and standards.

Qualifications

In addition to the position requirements listed under Nature of Work and Examples of Work, an applicant for the position of Chief of Police shall have the following education, experience, and abilities:

• A bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in police science, administration of justice, sociology, psychology, public administration, or a related field, from a state-licensed college or university is preferred.
• At least five (5) years supervisory and management experience in a law enforcement agency and/or as a security professional, including experience in all major phases of crime prevention, operations, and department administration.
• Completion or enrollment in an approved national agency, state, association, college, or department sponsored leadership, management, or police management courser, or courses, of at least eighty (80) contract hours.
• Completion of Law Enforcement Instructor Course of no less than forty (40) contact hours on the techniques of classroom training and/or public speaking.
• Annually complete ten (10) hours of executive level continuing education course which are approved by the Mississippi Board of Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Training. Such education courses may be provided by an accredited law enforcement academy or by the Mississippi Chiefs of Police Association.
• Ability to read, write, and speak the English language at fourth year college level.
• Independently exercise common sense and good judgment under pressure.
• Computer and keyboarding skills in word processing, spreadsheets, and research.
• Demonstrate ability to manage people, programs, and budgets in a law enforcement agency.
• Must possess a Valid Mississippi Driver License.

Miscellaneous Information

This position reports directly to the Mayor.

This position is not covered by Civil Service Commission.