Police Captain

DEFINITION

Under general direction, responsible for the day-to-day management of the Police Department; to participate as a member of the police management team in the consideration of departmental problems and issues; to coordinate assigned activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Police Chief. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Assumes management responsibility for the services and activities of the Police Department including Patrol, Support Services, Staff Services, and Administration; coordinates the activities of sworn and non-sworn personnel in preserving order, protecting life and property, investigating crimes, and in enforcing laws and municipal ordinances as the operating manager of an assigned division; duties include: oversee the community crime prevention/education program, manage and direct jail operations, and manage and direct the operation of data processing and communications; studies crime reports and current literature in law enforcement to determine trends and make recommendations for changes in organization and operating policies and procedures; Plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the work plan for assigned staff; determines need for police action and assigns work activities, projects, and programs; reviews and evaluates work products, methods, and procedures; meets with staff to identify and resolve problems; participates in the selection, training, motivation, and evaluation of assigned personnel; oversees and coordinates police training programs; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies and implements discipline and termination procedures; acts as staff liaison to city commissions and boards; participates as a member of police management team in the formation of departmental policy, procedures, rules and regulations; provides information to the public on police activities and handles citizen complaints; makes recommendation for purchase and/or procurement of department equipment and supplies; conducts administrative investigations as directed by the Police Chief to include recommendation of discipline; performs a variety of administrative duties including budget preparation, staff reports, grant management and staff reviews; manages and directs the control and custody of evidence and property; directs preparation of criminal cases for presentation to the district attorney for appropriate disposition; manages and directs patrol shifts; manages and directs the activities of special units such as traffic enforcement and beach patrol; maintains liaison with community groups, labor union representatives and law enforcement agencies; and provides general administrative assistance to the Chief of Police.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:  Knowledge of: operations, services and activities of a comprehensive municipal law enforcement program; advanced principles of supervision, management, leadership, training, and performance evaluation; modern law enforcement principles, procedures, techniques and equipment; pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations including laws governing the apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons accused of felonies, misdemeanors, and petty offenses; knowledge of the City’s geography; advanced methods, procedures, and techniques used in providing the full range of law enforcement and crime prevention services and activities including investigation and identification, patrol, traffic control, juvenile programs, record keeping, records management, automated records systems, search and seizure, care and custody of persons and property, and crime prevention; care, maintenance, and operation of firearms and other modern police equipment; advanced principles and practices of data collection and analysis; advanced methods and techniques of report preparation and writing; advanced principles and practices used in the identification, preservation, and presentation of evidence; techniques and applications of self-defense and proper use of force; methods and techniques used in interviewing witnesses, victims, or suspects; investigative techniques, procedures, and sources of information; principles and applications of public relations; standard broadcasting procedures of a police radio system; office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers, and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases; occupational hazards and standard safety practices. Ability to: oversee and participate in the management of the Police Department; effectively plan, direct, supervise, and coordinate the work of the Police Department; oversee, direct, and coordinate the work of lower level staff; select, supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff; analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals; operate department tools and equipment; perform work requiring good physical condition; work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and varied shifts; understand and carry out oral and written directions; operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions.
 
Education and Experience:  Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree. Six years of law enforcement experience; with five years at the level of Police Sergeant or higher rank. Master’s degree is preferred. Graduation from any of the following or equivalent programs is preferred: POST Command College, FBI National Academy, CPCA Executive Leadership Institute (ELI), PERF Senior Management Institute for Police, POST Executive Development Course, FBI LEEDA, POST Supervisory Leadership Institute, LAPD Leadership Course. If not completed prior, candidates will complete one of these programs within one year of promotion to Captain.

Licenses/Certificates:  Possession of a POST Supervisory Certificate. Possession of a valid Class C California Driver’s License with a safe driving record is required and must be maintained as valid during the course of employment. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
Environment:  Work is performed in a standard office setting, reactive emergency, natural or man-made disaster, and routine peace keeping environments with travel to various locations to attend meetings or respond to major crime scenes, disasters or critical incidents; the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions; occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, risk of electrical shock, risk of radiation, and vibration; the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, the noise level is occasionally very loud due to sirens, firearm training, etc.; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends and may be required to travel outside City boundaries to attend meetings.
Physical:  Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; walk, stand, or sit for prolonged periods of time; occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; to travel to other locations using various modes of private and commercial transportation; to operate and use specialized law enforcement tools and equipment including guns and handcuffs; and to verbally communicate to exchange information..
Vision:  See in the normal visual range with or without correction.
Hearing : Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

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