Click here to view our recruitment brochure to learn more about the Thornton Police Department.
As a member of the City Manager's senior leadership team, leads, directs and manages all activities of the Police Department. In this capacity, contributes to the development of and supports the approved workplan to address the city and community priorities.
Essential Functions
(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class.)
Directs and manages all activities and operations of the department, including Administration Division, Patrol Division, Detective Division, Emergency Communications Center, training, records management, animal control, and victim services.
Develops and implements rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to advance the department's mission, goals, and objectives, and to provide efficient and effective police services. Identifies and develops courses of action to respond to community needs and law enforcement trends.
Participates as a member of the City Manager's senior management team. Balances advocacy for individual department wants/needs with commitment to and support for the best overall outcomes for the city and community.
Maintains a thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and police procedures, and ensures their implementation and enforcement.
Advises the City Manager on issues related to law enforcement.
Assesses local needs and updates the strategic plan for the future of the department, the city, and the community. Analyzes problems, identifies alternative solutions, projects consequences of proposed actions, and implements recommendations in support of goals. Interacts with other departments and agencies to promote and coordinate activities, goals, and programs.
Advocates necessary changes to promote high quality of life within the community; coordinates and resolves interdepartmental issues that arise from law enforcement.
Manages, supervises and directs the activities of assigned staff and functions; makes recommendations regarding hiring, discipline, termination or advancement of employees. Schedules employees, assigns work, and monitors progress; guides, trains and develops employees in the accomplishment of their duties and professional growth; evaluates performance.
Remains current on issues and trends relative to the department and service delivery responsibilities; responds to and resolves sensitive and complex community and organizational inquiries and complaints. Conveys City Council goals to staff; interprets municipal codes and policies.
Monitors departmental operations and customer service to ensure quality control; identifies and resolves deficiencies; prepares and presents periodic and special staff reports on departmental issues and projects. Interacts with other departments and agencies to promote and coordinate activities.
Develops and implements the department budget. Determines levels of staff, equipment, and other resources needed to effectively and efficiently provide departmental services and programs.
Represents the city in meetings with professional organizations, other public agencies, and the public.
Meets with City Council, city management, commissions and boards to assist in policy determinations.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education/Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice or related area from an accredited college or university; ten years' full-time professional law enforcement experience including five years' supervisory experience at senior executive level assignments; five years' administrative or managerial experience. Master's degree is preferred. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Licensing/Certification Requirements
Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (CPOST) Certification.
Valid Colorado driver's license with a safe driving record.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
Knowledge of the policies, procedures, practices, and goals of the city of Thornton and the department.
Knowledge of mission statement, vision statement, core values, and philosophy of the department.
Knowledge of Constitutional rights, Colorado Revised Statutes, Thornton Municipal Code, and Thornton Model Traffic Code.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of law enforcement management, including managing and directing all operations of a police division.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration, including personnel management and supervision, organizational management and budgeting.
Knowledge of the boundaries, streets, neighborhoods and business areas of the city of Thornton.
Knowledge of basic principles of finance.
Skill in the proper use of standard law enforcement equipment, including weaponry, communications equipment, surveillance equipment, safety equipment, and laser and radar guns.
Skill in directing and managing all operations of a municipal police department, including patrol division, detective division, administration division, city communications center, crime analysis, victim services, records management, traffic unit, youth services unit, SWAT, police service dogs, warehousing/security of property/evidence, and animal control.
Skill in managing and directing police programs such as the police explorer program and cadet program, projects, and special events.
Skill in interpreting, understanding, and following complex statutes, ordinances, regulations, standards, and guidelines.
Skill in assessing community and city needs and strategically planning for the future.
Skill in dealing constructively with conflict, developing consensus and facilitating change.
Skill in preparing, reviewing, and approving special reports and analyses of operations.
Skill in directing, overseeing, and evaluating operational and management issues.
Skill in determining levels of staff, equipment, and other resources needed to effectively and efficiently provide departmental services and programs.
Skill in developing, implementing, and evaluating policies and procedures in order to achieve department missions, goals, and objectives.
Ability to develop, manage and maintain budgets.
Ability to motivate, lead, supervise and train employees.
Ability to respond with tact, composure, and courtesy when dealing with difficult situations.
Ability to monitor departmental operations and customer service to ensure quality control, identifying and resolving deficiencies.
Ability to appropriately apply public relations skills in various situations and circumstances.
Ability to use standard office equipment, computer equipment and software, including word processing, database management, spreadsheet applications and electronic mail.
Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Ability to listen well and communicate effectively orally and in writing with various audiences.
Ability to serve effectively as a member of a senior management team.
Ability to interpret, understand, and comply with complex statutes, ordinances, regulations, standards, and laws.
Ability to analyze and evaluate information accurately, and to express ideas clearly when providing oral and written reports or recommendations on administrative, financial and technical issues.
Ability to regularly exercise discretionary authority.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city management, employees, elected officials, board and commission members, other agencies, community members and the general public.
Physical And Mental Requirements
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, sit, stand, walk, pull, lift, finger, grasp, feel, talk, hear, and make repetitive motions. This position is considered medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The employee is required to have visual acuity to operate motor vehicles and/or heavy equipment. The employee is subject to all inside and outside environmental conditions including extreme heat, cold and atmospheric conditions. The employee is also subject to loud noise, vibrations, and hazardous physical conditions. The employee is required to remain calm during stressful and possibly life-threatening situations.
TESTING PROCEDURES
Examinations may include but are not limited to application screening beyond minimum qualifications; written, oral, practical exercise or any combination thereof or other job related assessment deemed appropriate by Human Resources.
Your application will be used as a screening tool. Completeness and accuracy are important! Any false or untrue statements or material omissions in the application and related paperwork or during the selection process could disqualify you from consideration.
As a condition of employment, the city of Thornton conducts background investigations for all positions which may also include a review of credit report and/or driving record. A drug screen, physical, and/or psychological examination administered by a city-designated provider will be required for pre-determined positions.
The City of Thornton is an equal opportunity employer.
The City of Thornton offers employees an outstanding benefits package. Benefit eligibility is based on the status of the position. Please email Jobs@thorntonco.gov to receive a copy of our 2024 Benefits Guide.
Benefits offered may include the following depending on the job type/status of the position:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Life, Dependent Life & Supplemental Life Insurance Options
- Voluntary Accidental Death & Dismemberment Policy
- Flexible Spending Plan
- Retiree Health Savings Plan
- Pension Plan & Deferred Compensation Plans
- Short & Long-term Disability Plans
- Paid Holidays
- Vacation & Sick Leave
- Multilingual Incentive Pay
- Recreation Pass
- Wellness Program - Learn more here
- In-House Training Opportunities
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible Schedules
- Hybrid Schedules
01
Do you have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Criminal Justice or a related field? Please note that we may consider an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Yes, Bachelor's Degree
- Yes, Master's Degree
- No
02
Do you have at least ten years' full-time professional law enforcement experience?
03
Do you have at least five years' supervisory experience at senior executive level assignments?
04
Do you have at least five years' administrative or managerial experience?
