POLICE COMMANDER

POSITION PURPOSE:

A Police Commander is responsible for planning, supervising, and reviewing the activities of all personnel assigned to a major division, which may include an Operations or Support Services function.

Supervision is exercised over sworn and/or civilian personnel primarily through subordinate supervisors.

A Police Commander recommends comprehensive goals and objectives and is responsible for their

implementation and results achieved. The administrative nature of the work requires considerable

responsibility for making decisions regarding actions to be taken, independent judgment in the

interpretation of policies and procedures, as well as application of laws and ordinances. A Police

Commander provides highly complex staff assistance to the Police Chief.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

o Works under the general supervision of the Police Chief.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

o Supervises police department staff directly or through supervisors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES - Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Actively participates and accomplishes organizational, departmental and workgroup goals and

objectives.

• Exhibits a service orientation toward internal and external customers, through respect, support, and cooperation. Contributes to building a positive team environment.
• Endorses, supports and defends organizational objectives, by complying with organizational rules and procedures, suggesting improvements, and conveying a positive and professional image of the agency to others.
• Manages the activities of an assigned unit or designated program, which includes planning,

coordinating, administering, and evaluating programs, projects, processes, procedures, systems,

standards, and/or service offerings. Ensures compliance with applicable Federal, state, and local

laws, regulations, codes, and/or standards.

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with staff, other agencies, news media, elected officials, administrators, and the general public; coordinates task forces and other cooperative law enforcement efforts. Represents the organization at a variety of meetings, public events, on committees, and/or other related events regarding services, programs, projects and facilities.
• Fosters and promotes community relations by being present and accessible through participating in community events, initiating Police sponsored activities, patrolling the neighborhood in a manner that invites residents to ask questions and raise issues.
• Reviews citizen complaints and investigations of employee misconduct to ensure the integrity of the complaint investigations and the appropriateness of the recommendations.
• Prepares, reviews, interprets, and analyzes a variety of information, data, and reports. Implements appropriate responses to issues based on data gathered through a variety of sources.
• Assesses data and reports on gang activity, narcotics complaints, vice, and traffic conditions and implements policies and deploys personnel and other resources as appropriate.
• Recommends and implements policies and procedures to improve operational effectiveness and enhancements to services or programs.
• Assists in planning and the development of short and long term goals. Coordinates operational and program efforts in alignment with goals and objectives related to assigned area of responsibility.
• Manages the use of department equipment and other resources and ensures that staff have access to the resources needed to plan work, conduct investigations, make informed decisions, and solve problems.
• Responds to emergencies during on- and off-duty hours; organizes and directs personnel and

equipment during major events or emergencies and assumes command as necessary.

• Assists the Police Chief in the administration of the annual budget; assists in preparation of

Department budgets.

• Supervises and evaluates the performance of assigned personnel at specific designated intervals; provides career and personal counseling to subordinates as necessary; recommends reassignment or termination; administers formal disciplinary measures initiated by the Police Chief.
• Evaluates methods, policies and procedures; recommends changes for Department improvement and efficient operations regarding patrols, staffing, and public education.
• Assign, instruct, and review the work of subordinates in an effective and positive working relationship, with emphasis on mentorship and development.
• Stays abreast of the use and effectiveness of overtime to not only ensure compliance with department policy, but address issues that may lead to or are contributing to unplanned overtime expenses.
• Establishes direction regarding internal communication, to ensure consistent messaging between shifts, and various units within the district, or a specialized department. Also ensures effective upward and downward communication.
• Informs the Police Chief of significant activities by means of discussion, conference or written report; perform duties of the Police Chief in absence according to established guidelines.
• Demonstrates initiative consistent with job expectations, to improve both personal and organizational performance. This includes the maintenance of all certifications and annual in-service training.
• Performs facility management duties, including determining necessary maintenance and repairs, and coordinating or arranging for the work.
• The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• No or very limited physical effort required.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions.
• Traveling is required.
• Evening or variable hours to attend meetings is required. Department operates twenty-four (24) hours a day, every day of the year, including weekends and recognized holidays.
• Using muscular force to lift, carry, drag, push, or otherwise move objects using strength in arms, hands, back, shoulders and/or legs.
• Using necessary force to restrain/subdue a person when making an arrest.
• Standing, sitting, and walking for extended periods of time.
• Hearing and recognizing the normal range of sounds in terms of loudness, pitch, tone, patterns, or rhythms, or duration.
• Seeing detail at various distances (e.g. normal reading distance, beyond arm length) and reading ordinary/small print.
• Safely and lawfully operating automotive vehicles and associated equipment.
• Remaining alert and reacting to frequent but important events or specific details within a stream of information (e.g. alarms, radio)
• Must pass all phases of the selection process, including a medical evaluation, drug screen, and physical performance test.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in law enforcement.
• Minimum of five years in a supervisory position.

• Must possess the proven leadership skills to manage the activities of an entire division. This can be proven through a combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of an Associate’s degree preferred.
• Any combination of education and experience, which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job, may be substituted for these qualifications.

Examples of these skills include:

Knowledge of:

• Mission, goals and command structure of the Harvey Police Department.
• History of the department, including social and historical context behind Consent Decree
• Rules, regulations, policies, procedures and General Orders of HPD.
• Managerial principles, practices and techniques.
• Public administration principles and practices.
• Applicable Federal, state and local laws, codes, regulations and/or ordinances.
• Policy and procedure development practices.
• Applicable theories and principles related to area of assignment
• Organizational and planning concepts.
• Budget preparation and control.
• Principles and practices of supervision and training.
• City ordinances, Civil Service regulations, and labor agreements.
• Laws of arrest, search, and seizure.
• Criminal case preparation and procedures.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Report writing and case preparation.
• Crime scene management.

Skills:

• Specific and/or centralized law enforcement skills that have been acquired through the course of a career as well as the result of participation in internal and external training, advanced education, such as (but not limited to): Community Policing, Reform Management, Labor Relations, Internal Affairs, Specialized Units (SWAT, Academy Instructor), Vice, FBI Training, FTO.
• Conduct field investigations to observe operations to determine if personnel and other resources are utilized properly, and that personnel are following policies and procedures.
• Develop or review plans for directed patrol response to address specific needs and requirements.
• Identify future staffing needs based on proposed or expected changes to policies, procedures, and programs.

Ability to:

• Make presentations to various community groups, organizations, or other agencies, to provide information regarding the activities, mission, and goals of the Harvey Police Department.
• Interpret reports, memoranda, manuals, and other job-related documents to evaluate operations, plan work, make decisions, and solve problems.
• Make sound decisions based on laws, regulations, and departmental policies and procedures.
• Facilitate meetings to ensure the effective exchange of information or instruction and keep attendees on task relative to the goals of the meeting.
• Show a commitment to professional development, including evaluating the effectiveness of one’s own actions to determine ways to improve work performance, and striving to develop and acquire new knowledge and skills.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid ILLINOIS State driver's license
• Valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card issued by the State of Illinois
• Must maintain the ability to safely handle and use a Department approved firearm
• Must meet requirements set forth by Illinois State and the City for law enforcement officers
• Must be able to qualify for the Access Certification

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and

employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.