Police Chief

City of Bridgeton Police Chief Recruitment and Selection Profile 2 ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: The Police Chief will serve as the Chief executive and administrative officer of the Police Department and is responsible for the organization's overall leadership, strategic direction, and operational effectiveness. The Mayor assigns the Chief of Police primary responsibility for overseeing the police department. The Police Chief ’s duties include, but are not limited to, the following: Leadership & Administration Provides visionary leadership and establish strategic goals, objectives, and performance standards for the Department. Plans, organizes, directs, and evaluate all departmental operations, programs, and services. Develops, implements, and will enforce departmental policies, procedures, and best practices in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. Fosters a culture of professionalism, accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct. Actively pursues advanced training to expand leadership skills, knowledge, and best practices in policing. Operations Oversight Oversees law enforcement operations, criminal investigations, patrol services, community policing initiatives, and specialized units. Ensures effective deployment of personnel and resources to meet community needs. Directs response to major incidents, emergencies, critical events, and disasters. Monitors crime trends and implement proactive strategies to enhance public safety. Personnel Management Leads, mentors, supervises a command staff of 54 full-time sworn officers and 7 civilian staff. Oversees recruitment, hiring, training, evaluation, and discipline of employees. Promote employee engagement, morale, and leadership development at all levels. Fiscal Management Prepares, present s, and administer s the Department’s $8m+ annual budget. Ensures responsible stewardship of public funds and oversight of grants and special funding sources. Identifies funding opportunities and manage long-term capital planning for equipment and facilities. Community & Government Relations Serves as the Department’s primary liaison to the Mayor, City Administrator, City Council, Police Commission, community groups, partner agencies, and the media. Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with residents, businesses, civic leaders, and regional law enforcement agencies. Promotes community trust through transparency, engagement, and responsive service. Represents the Department at public meetings, community events, and professional associations. Implement and evaluate programs in order to maintain effective law enforcement for the City of Bridgeton, MO. Compliance & Accountability Ensures compliance with applicable laws, accreditation standards, and regulatory requirements. 3 Oversees internal investigations and ensure fair and consistent disciplinary practices. Develops and maintain s systems for performance measurement and continuous improvement. T he Police Chief shall perform other related duties as assigned and must exercise independent judgment, sound decision - making, and high ethical standards in carrying out the responsibilities of the position. MI NIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: The Police Chief shall have a minimum of five (5) years experience in law enforcement and must be a high school graduate or equivalent Pr eferred Education: The Chief of Police shall possess a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration, Political Science, or a closely related field. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, a combination of relevant higher education and successful completion of the FBI National Academy or an equivalent executive-level law enforcement leadership training program may be considered. All education and training credentials must demonstrate preparation for advanced leadership, organization management, and professional law enforcement administration. A master’s degree in criminal justice, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a closely related field is preferred and will be considered a significant asset. E xperience: Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience. At least three (3) years of senior command- level experience (e.g., Major, Colonel, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, or equivalent rank) in a municipal, county, or state law enforcement agency. Or an equivalent combination of education and experience preferred. Demonstrated experience managing large divisions or agencies with responsibility for staffing, budgeting, policy development, and strategic planning. Experience working in a diverse community. Proven record of community engagement, collaborative problem-solving, and implementing crime reduction strategies. Experience working with elected officials, city administrators, community organizations, and external oversight bodies. *There is no residency requirement C ertification & Licensing: • Must possess or be eligible to obtain Missouri Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification. • Valid driver’s license required. • US Citizenship as required by section 590.030 of RSMo. • FBI National Academy, or equivalent executive law enforcement leadership training, is highly desirable. 4 Preferred Qualifications • Demonstrated success in leading organizational change and modern policing initiatives. • Experience in accreditation processes (e.g., CALEA), or department reform efforts. • Strong background in fiscal management, including preparation and oversight of budgets. • Training and demonstrating competence in de-escalation, constitutional policing, procedural justice, and use-of-force policy development. • Values and successfully maintains regional and inter-agency cooperation and partnerships. • Experience serving a police department similar