Chief of Police

Overview

Position: Chief of Police

Department: Suquamish Police Department
Classification: Full-time, salaried

DESCRIPTION
Benefiting Your Future!
• Competitive pay: DOE
• Employee Medical, Dental, Vision premium
• $50,000 Basic Life Insurance, Long Term Disability
• Voluntary Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability
• 401(k) and up to 5% Employer Contribution Match
• Paid Leave: Annual, Sick, 13 Paid Holiday Observances, Jury Duty, Bereavement, Closure

Summary
This position is responsible for the effective leadership, management, and operation of the Suquamish Police Department including planning, organizing, and directing the activities of the department and assuring that law and order is maintained, federal and applicable state laws are enforced, and appropriate measures are implemented to prevent crime and protect the citizens and visitors of the Port Madison Indian Reservation. The Chief of Police will provide leadership, strategic planning and administrative direction of public safety functions with a community centered focus, and is responsible for shaping the work culture of the law enforcement department. This is a highly visible position with responsibility for the preservation of peace, protection of life and property, conducting investigations, working in partnership with neighboring jurisdiction law enforcement, fire, and medical, and the enforcement of laws and regulations using law enforcement best practices while upholding the strategic mission, vision, and values of the Suquamish Tribe.

Your Education / Experience
• College degree in a related field to law enforcement is preferable or a combination of training and experience necessary to demonstrate the ability to perform the position.
• At least 10 years of law enforcement experience, with substantial experience in the position of Sergeant or above preferred. Must, prior to of appointment, have been continuously employed in as commissioned law enforcement officer for the previous 5 years.
• Must be a graduate of the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy or meet equivalency requirements for the State of Washington to obtain a Peace Officer Certificate.
• Must, prior to appointment, meet the standards to act as general authority Washington peace officer in accordance with RCW 10.92.020.
• Must hold, prior to time of appointment, a Washington State Tribal Peace Officer certificate (RCW 43.101.157).
• Meet, prior to appointment, the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Core Training Requirements set forth in RCW 43.101.350 – First Level Supervision (40-hour course) is required and Middle Management (40-hour course) desired

Your Responsibilities
• Responsible for the overall administration and command of a small police department serving the Suquamish Tribe Port Madison Indian Reservation.
• The Police Chief guides the department, develops and implements policies, and directs practices by setting the tone for the department through leadership and example for all facets of the Suquamish Tribes vision and mission of law enforcement community-oriented policing.
• The Chief will be responsible to ensure that all actions taken will ensure that the laws of arrest, search and seizure, constitutional rights of citizens, best management practices for dealing with victims, rules of evidence, and recognized investigative techniques and procedures are adhered to.
• Establishes and implements departments short- and long-range goals, objectives, strategic plans, policies, and operating procedures; monitors and evaluates programmatic and operational effectiveness, and effects changes required for improvement.
• Fosters a positive work culture that values collaboration, team work, and communication where officers can feel supported and connected.
• Develops, coordinates and participates in crime prevention and community awareness programs, seminars, and forums to proactively reduce the incidents of criminal activities within the Tribe’s jurisdiction including programs that enhance safety in the community and local schools.
• Will work closely with the Executive Director, Suquamish Tribal Council, Communications team on press releases regarding police incidents or crime investigations as directed.
• Reviews and makes investigation recommendations on reports of violations received from the public, from tribal sources and from non-Suquamish law enforcement agencies.
• Oversees performance to allow for coaching, mentorship and annual performance evaluations of designated staff. In coordination with the Human Resources department maintains personnel records regarding performance.
• Understands, enforces, or actively investigates tribal, state and federal laws and regulations.
• Perform all duties and responsibilities found in Tribal Laws, By-laws, and Ordinances.
• Develops, plans, and monitors the annual budget. This includes working with the Executive Director and the Suquamish Tribal Council to plan department activities that are within the scope of the budget approved by the Council and assure the efficient and economical use of department funds.
• Works with other management team members on budgeting spending related to law enforcement equipment inventories, replacement schedules for equipment and vehicles, and making department purchasing decisions.
• Promotes training for Law Enforcement staff and ensure training needs assessments are completed for the career development of all Law Enforcement personnel. Will ensure compliance with certification and credentialing standards for assigned personnel to include, but not limited to basic police training, continuing education, professional growth and development. This includes responsibility for directing a reserve officer program dependent upon staffing capacity and budget flexibility.
• Promotes positive public relations by collaborating with shared governance entities and representing the department on various committees and planning functions as designated, appointed, or approved by the Executive Director and or Tribal Council.
• In coordination with leadership and Emergency and Facilities management will work on the Tribe’s access control and intrusion protection planning needs, systems, and initiatives.
• Due to the department’s small size, the police chief may at times also work as a police officer and may have to work a patrol shift alone handling all calls or assist other officers with their calls.
• In the scope of law enforcement work, may serve warrants, take reports, effect arrests, conduct interviews, issue citations, provide court testimony, and answer calls for service.
• Attends Tribal Council meetings as needed to provide law enforcement information or concerns, deliver department statistic reports and to assist in formulating tribal code and ordinances related to law enforcement.
• Responsible for working, or serving the community through volunteerism for both small- and large-scale events.
• The Chief of Police and Law Enforcement department staff will communicate with and interact regularly with the public. The Chief of Police will be required to speak at public functions and in front of groups for educational purposes.

Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Servant leadership, interpersonal skills, and relational intelligence are key to the success of this position. This includes the ability to establish rapport, understand others, embrace individual differences, develop trust, and cultivate influence.
• Professional integrity, empathy, effective verbal and written communication skills, human relations skills, self-control, crisis management and problem-solving skills are essential.
• Must have strong personnel management skills, particularly overseeing employees working under stressful and demanding situations.
• Must have demonstrated skills and temperament in working with the public, and ability to use culturally competent awareness, knowledge, and skills to understand all cultural, ethnic, racial, and gender groups while carrying out the
duties of this work.
• Networking with other tribal, local, state and government agencies.
• Must have excellent fact analysis skills with ability to compile and organize gathered information into efficient and user friendly electronic and hard copy formats.
• Must be a self-starter with a demonstrated ability to work on matters involving highly complex and sensitive police work and investigation with integrity.
• Must have good organizational skills with ability to efficiently manage multiple tasks or projects, both independently and as a leader in a team setting.
• Must have demonstrated ability to maintain calm demeanor and good judgement when dealing with difficult situations, conflict, or people.
• Must establish and maintain professional, courteous, respectful and effective working relationships with co-workers, Suquamish Tribal members and the general public at all times.
• Cultural diversity sensitivity with the ability to work effectively with people regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or job type.
• Experience working within a Native community highly desirable.
• Community awareness, and ability to understand resident demographics, crime rates, the Tribes initiatives and other factors that influence the community served.
Supervisory Responsibilities
• This position has administrative oversite over all police department personnel, and works closely with a Deputy Chief of Police on dual supervision of designated staff. Effectively leads, inspires, encourages and supports the officers and non-commissioned employees under his or her command to perform at their highest potential
• Works with the Deputy Chief and Sergeants to prepare shift schedules, and ensure that Patrol and or Marine Division are properly and effectively staffed.
• Lead by example, and be willing to work shifts or cover assignments to ensure that unit responsibilities are met
• Handles complaints by citizens or department personnel and determines the appropriate action to investigate the complaint to allow for appropriate conclusion to educate, mitigate or resolve the situation by counseling, training, or taking disciplinary action in accordance with the Suquamish Tribes policies and procedures. Ensure unit discipline is maintained and that any deficiencies are quickly noted and corrected in a sustained manner.
• Be able to recognize performance that goes above the standards and recognize that behavior appropriately
• Directly participates and supports in the selection and hiring process for Law Enforcement personnel. Comply with the Suquamish Tribes employment regulations and be able to apply them appropriately.
• Any and all other duties as delegated by the Executive Director, and or Suquamish Tribal Council

Qualifications You’ll Bring
• Must meet and maintain all background, hiring, selection, and in-service standards of the Suquamish Police Department.
• Must pass a post-offer, pre-employment physical examination including drug scan and psychological evaluation and polygraph.
• Must successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation in accordance with State of Washington law.
• Knowledge and proficiency with MS Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
• Must develop a robust understanding of computer systems and required software or equipment required by the department and or specific agencies to conduct work.
 Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)
 Two-Way Radio
 Criminal Justice Information Systems
 NCIC (National Crime Information Center)
• Adverse Childhood Experiences training (ACES)
• Required First Aid and CPR training

What to Expect
• The principal job site is in the Administrative office at the Suquamish Tribal Center, Suquamish Village Square. The primary work is done in an office environment in a general office setting, which would have appropriate lighting and heat, adequate ventilation and equipment necessary to the position.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, talk, hear and perform repetitive motions.
• There may be prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, data entry, and reading. Specific vision abilities required by this job include reading, distance, computer, and color vision.
• Talking and hearing are essential to communicate.
• This job requires physical ability to work in all weather conditions, on foot on all kinds of surfaces and terrain, operation of department issued patrol vehicle at normal speed or in higher speed for emergency response, and employ physical force to affect and arrest or overcome resistance, which may necessitate the use of weapons on accordance with the applicable laws, training, and policies of the department.
• On occasion requires lifting objects that weigh as much as 100 lbs.
• This job requires performing stressful physical work for many hours while maintaining the ability to make good decisions and deal with agitated and stressed members of the community and public.
• This employee must meet department fitness standards at all times and display leadership by regularly performing above the minimum standards in fitness testing.
• This employee must be willing to work shifts or cover assignments to ensure that unit responsibilities are met.
• This position requires substantial flexibility and variation in schedule, including working on weekends, holidays, at varied hours, around the clock.
• This position requires the ability to respond to emergency situations at all hours and or provide direction to the department personnel by phone and respond to any issues or concerns by staff or constituents.
• The Chief of Police promotes positive public relations and works in partnership to develop and maintain strong professional relationships Tribal, Federal, State, County and municipal law enforcement and public safety departments in order to promote coordinated public safety services to the Port Madison Reservation community. This includes partnerships with numerous agencies and organizations, including but not limited to: local civic groups, business organizations, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe Police Department, Poulsbo Police Department, Bainbridge Island Police Department, North Kitsap Fire & Rescue, St. Michaels Hospital, North Kitsap School District, Port of Kingston, Port of Brownsville, Port of Seattle, Suquamish Emergency Operations, Suquamish Tribal Court, Tribal Prosecutors, Federal Prosecutors, Suquamish Tribe Wellness Center, Suquamish Human Services and Suquamish Tribal Child Welfare, Suquamish Tribe Healing House, and other mental health care, sexual/domestic abuse and substance abuse professionals and justice support agencies in Kitsap County and Washington State. In addition, this position will require full cooperation, coordination and support with similar tribal agencies.

Requirements
• Federal, State, and Tribal Background check
• Valid WA State Driver’s License
• Pre-Employment drug testing
• Native American Preference
• Random Drug Testing
• Suquamish Tribe Vaccine Requirements

Tagged as: management, police