Police Chief April 2025

Job Description:

Police Chief April 2025

Description

The Town of Longboat Key is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, who provides hiring preference to eligible veterans and their family members, and has a strong drug free workplace and alcohol abuse policy. Additionally, where appropriate, the Town may waive post-secondary education requirements for certain service members and veterans.

General Description

The Town of Longboat Key is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, who provides hiring preference to eligible veterans and their family members, and has a strong drug free workplace and alcohol abuse policy. Additionally, where appropriate, the Town may waive post-secondary education requirements for certain servicemembers and veterans.

The Town ofLongboat Key is accepting applications for a FT Police Chief for the Town’s Police Department that will work to keep our 7,500 residents and visitors (which swells to more than 20,000 in season) safe and secure. As a 10 mile long, 4.5 sq. mile barrier island located in both Sarasota and Manatee counties, Longboat Key enjoys a high quality of life with amazing natural resources. The Department received statewide accreditation in 2024 and consistently receives high ratings of citizen satisfaction for providing exceptional services. A pre-employment physical and drug screen will be required, except for current employees who have met this requirement.

Why Join Us?

• Innovative Projects: Advance projects that protect and enhance our coastal environment and the Town way of life.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuing education, certifications, and job specific training.
• Community Impact: Make a difference in a community that values dependability, resilience, fiscal sustainability and excellence.
• Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a supportive work environment with flexible working arrangements
• Community Appreciation: Be part of a community that deeply values and respects its law enforcement. Longboat Key has a unique, strong connection to its police officers and truly understands and appreciates the work they do to keep the Town safe.

POSTING HIGHLIGHTS

The Town of Longboat Key is a beautiful place to live, work and visit. Join our team at the Town of Longboat Key, a premier coastal community renowned for its exceptional service and commitment to quality of life.
Benefits:

• Retirement: Town contributes 16% of employee’s annual salary
• 401K: First 6% of employee contribution, 1-5 years of service: 25%; 5 years of service or more = 50%
• Health Insurance Cost: 100% for employees and 88% for family coverage
• Other Benefits: Dental plan, Vision plan, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Life Insurance, all at good, competitive rates.
• Regular Vacation: 80 hours earned per year plus 2 personal days
• Sick Leave: 95 hours per year
• Manager Hours, 80 hours per calendar year, does not roll over - must use by last period in the year or will be lost.
• Wellness Days: Earn up to two additional days off per year

EXPECTATIONS FOR EMPLOYEES IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS

Supports the organization’s mission, vision and values by exhibiting the following behaviors:
Servant Leader
Clear Vision for Department/Team
Nurture Growth & Development
Highest Degree of Integrity/Ethics/Accountability
Demonstrate Mutual Respect
Encourage Strategic Thinking, Innovation, and Action
Embrace Continuous Improvement

FUNCTION

The Police Chief is responsible for providing highly professional administrative, strategic and technical leadership in directing all employees and operations within the police department. This position entails overseeing the protection of lives and property in the Town, ensuring public safety through effective law enforcement practices and community engagement. The Police Chief supervises the department with considerable autonomy in the day-to-day operations, while aligning departmental goals and actions with the Town’s mission and values.

The Police Chief is also responsible for fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement within the department. This position is considered a valuable part of the Town’s leadership team operating under executive direction by the Town Manager while being responsible for setting the department’s strategic vision, driving innovation, and maintain strong public relations. Additionally, the Police Chief is committed to building strong relationships with other members of the leadership team while ensuring the department remains responsive to community needs and is adaptable to emerging challenges in law enforcement and public safety.

Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops and implements orders, regulations and polices governing the activities of the police department, in accordance with state and local laws. Collaborates with the Town Manager to formulate and refine departmental policies and practices. Communicates these policies clearly to all subordinate officers and staff, ensuring their understanding and compliance. Establishes and prescribes effective work methods and procedures for the department, continuously seeking opportunities for operational improvements. Takes appropriate disciplinary action when necessary to maintain department standards and performance.
• Ensures the highest level of professional law enforcement operations and maintains the police department’s accreditation.
• Promotes a Community Policing approach within the Department with a strong emphasis on customer service and building positive relationships with the community.
• Plans and supervises the enforcement of traffic and safety regulations as well as crime prevention and detention programs. Collaborates with state and federal law enforcement agencies in the apprehension and detention of wanted persons and works with other agencies as needed to support joint law enforcement efforts.
• Provides guidance and assistance to police officers in complex or non-routine criminal investigations and actively participates in resolving the most challenging issues encountered by subordinates.
• Encourages and cultivates courteous, professional, and helpful attitudes among all department personnel in their interactions with the with other Town departments, the public, elected officials, and the media.
• Attends civic club meetings, churches, schools, and other community gatherings to explain the police department’s activities and functions, fostering positive relations and community engagement.
• Prepares and manages the annual budget, implementing programs to reduce operational costs while striving to improve departmental services.
• Provides timely updates and reports to the Town Manager on department activities and significant police-related events within the community.
• Reports to work on emergency call back when notified, in accordance with departmental procedures. If an employee is unable to report for duty due to a violation of the Town’s Drug Free Workplace Policy, they must immediately inform the Supervisor so alternate coverage can be arranged. Employees are expected to perform all essential functions of their job, including on call duties. Failure to respond to call back duty may result in a performance review, and disciplinary action up to and including termination.
• In declared emergencies, reports to the Town’s Emergency Management Coordinator and participates in applicable emergency operations, while maintaining regular attendance during the normal work schedule, except for excused or job-related absences.
• Serves as an active member of the senior leadership team, collaborating with other departments as needed to accomplish the Town’s mission.
• Public Information Officer oversees communications between the Town and press media. The Police Chief is a key member of the Town’s communications team and may serve as the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the police department. In collaboration with the Town’s primary PIO and other team members, the Police Chief ensures the accurate and timely dissemination of information, focusing on police department-related matters and supporting broader communication efforts between the Town and the media.
• Performs any other functions as deemed essential by the Town and communicated to the employee by the Town Manager.

Knowledge, Abilities, & Qualifications

JOB PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of modern police administration and law enforcement methods. Experience in pro-active community policing programs. Considerable knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and ordinances which are enforced by the Town police department. Considerable knowledge of scientific methods of crime detection and criminal identification. Experience in department level strategic planning and performance measurement. Considerable knowledge of the types and uses of firearms. Knowledgeable in police accreditation standards and maintaining the police department's accreditation status.

Strong ability to supervise, train and mentor a diverse team of law enforcement officers and support personnel.

Ability to build a strong team and to collaborate with other Town departments, outside agencies, media, and the community.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

PREFERRED

Graduation from an accredited 4-year college or university with a major in public administration, law enforcement, or criminology; Ten (10) years law enforcement experience with 5 years in upper-level supervisory and administrative duties.

REQUIRED

Graduation from an accredited two-year college or university with a major in public administration, law enforcement or criminology, supplemented by advanced courses in modern police administration methods and practices; at least 5-7 years of extensive law enforcement experience including significant supervisory and managerial responsibilities. Must be a certified law enforcement officer in Florida or able to obtain certification within six to 9 months from date of hire.

A comparable amount of training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.

Working Conditions & Supplemental Information

Valid Florida Driver’s License (MVR background check).

Successful completion of an employment physical and drug screen to confirm the ability to perform the essential functions of the job

The Town is a Drug Free Workplace, in compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, in § 440.102, FS and Rules 59A-24 F.A.C (Florida Administrative Code). State and federal laws and regulations may subject certain employees to additional drug testing requirements. Any employee who violates the program is subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Hepatitis A vaccination, or proof of the same, as a precautionary measure against exposure to raw sewage and a signed Acknowledgement for the attached “Information to Employees - Hepatitis A” must be provided prior to assuming Town duties.

Hepatitis B vaccination, proof of same, or signed Acknowledgement declining the vaccination (see attachedInformation to Employees - Hepatitis B) must be provided prior to assuming Town duties.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.

To learn more details, visit our Web page at:

https://www.longboatkey.org/town-government/departments/human-resources/employee-benefits

Closing Date/Time: 5/12/2025 4:00 PM Eastern

Salary:

$145,000.00 - $165,000.00 Annually