Description
WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO READ THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION.
____________________________________________________________
The City of Torrance recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to the City of Torrance today.
The City of Torrance
invites your interest in the position of
POLICE CHIEF!
View recruitment brochure here!
The Torrance Police Department mission is to preserve public safety and quality of life within the City of Torrance, to respond effectively to the changing needs of the community, and to promote mutual respect between the Police Department and the people we serve.
The City
Torrance California, the eighth largest city in Los Angeles County, is situated in a region of Southern California known as the South Bay. This City of nearly 150,000 residents, with a peak day-time population that grows to 250,000 or more, spans an area of almost 22 square miles including 1 mile of beach.
Torrance features world-class medical and research facilities, vibrant shopping, four-star dining, as well as an intricate mix of burgeoning industrial and commercial facilities. Torrance is one of the few cities in the South Bay to feature its own municipal airport and support facilities. It is also considered to be a "headquarters" city, with major corporations such as Sunrider International, Alpinestars USA, Health-Ade Kombucha, Pelican Products, L3 Harris Technologies, RapiScan Systems, American Honda Motor Company, and Robinson Helicopter Company all calling Torrance home.
The City of Torrance is governed by the Mayor-Council-City Manager form of government with an elected Mayor and six Council Members who appoint a City Manager, a City Attorney, and members of 14 advisory commissions, boards, and council. The Executive team works under the direction of the City Manager based on merit principles. Torrance is a full service city with an annual budget of over $200 million and a staff of over 1300 organized in fourteen (14) departments.
The Department
The
Torrance Police Department has been proudly serving the community of Torrance for over 100 years. Known for its low crime rates, the City of Torrance consistently ranks among the
safest cities in the nation! Joining the Torrance Police Department will give you the opportunity to be part of a progressive, professional law enforcement agency that spans an area of 22 square miles and serves nearly 150,000 residents. The Torrance Police Department strives to remain at the
forefront of policing by providing our officers with the
latest in public safety equipment and technology, and by providing our officers with the
best law enforcement training available.
The Torrance Police Department mission is to preserve public safety and quality of life within the City of Torrance, to respond effectively to the changing needs of the community, and to promote mutual respect between the Police Department and the people they serve. The Department is led by the Police Chief and is supported by Command Staff, consisting of three Captains and a Police Services Administrator. The Command Staff is responsible for the major components within the Department's structure: the Administrative, Patrol, Special Operations, and Services Bureaus.
The Position
The
Police Chief position is well suited for a visionary and innovative leader who is grounded in a community policing philosophy. The position provides leadership and works with Command Staff to develop, maintain, implement, and monitor long term plans, goals, and objectives focused on achieving the City and Department's missions and Council priorities. The
Police Chief is a Department Head, executive position charged with administrative, managerial, supervisory, and professional duties in directing the Torrance Police Department functions, and will have the opportunity to lead 226 sworn law enforcement personnel and 147 civilian professionals.
For a Full a Job Description, Click Here.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for
Police Chief will be a highly committed, hands-on executive with the technical expertise to continue the Department's tradition of exceptional professionalism; someone who is a proven leader who will help in the Department’s mission of ensuring public safety with integrity, compassion, and professionalism. The
Police Chief will be an approachable and visible leader who remains engaged with the community as well as their workforce.
The City seeks to hire someone who understands and is responsive to the community's needs. The successful candidate will have experience with municipal management, employee relations in a unionized environment, political sensitivity, operating in a fiscally constrained environment; they will have knowledge of current policing trends and forecasts, be active in professional growth, and have impeccable integrity. As a vibrant community committed to excellence, Torrance needs a strategic and self-motivated leader committed to creating and executing a shared vision and strategy, and developing the leadership potential in others for operational efficiency by improving performance through consistent feedback and coaching.
The ideal candidate will have a successful track record in developing and maintaining effective working relationships and will be viewed as a trusted partner in the criminal justice system, capable of discussing complex and controversial matters with various audiences when needed with solid leadership and interpersonal skills.
As a member of the Executive Management Team, the Police Chief will collaborate with team members to achieve the City's short and long-term goals.
Key Responsibilities Include
- Overseeing, managing, and promoting sustainable techniques and practices.
- Providing leadership and overall direction to Departmental staff, including cross-training and organizational development as well as mentorship and coaching.
- Working with a vivacious community to preserve and enhance City Council desired goals and objectives.
- Managing analysis and implementation of all Legislation that impacts the Police Department.
- Ensuring the success of internal promotions to include assessment of training needs for specialty positions and development of robust training resources.
Major Initiatives & Opportunities
Initiatives That Require Immediate Focus Include
- Oversee implementation of anticipated Department of Justice recommendations.
- Analyze Organizational Assessment Report and make recommendations to the City Manager.
- Review potential reorganization of the Department in response to budget challenges due to Covid-19 fiscal impacts.
- Implement the City’s and Torrance Police Department’s Strategic Plans.
- Recruit, develop, and retain a skilled, community-oriented workforce.
- Drive new technology and automation advances within the profession to create operational efficiencies.
Salary
$18,866 (Minimum) - $24,314 (Reference) - $27,960 (Maximum) per month + benefits
Appointments are typically made between the minimum and reference point, depending on qualifications.
The City offers ample opportunities for career growth throughout the organization with its 14 departments, which work together to provide quality service, enriching programs, and exciting events to keep the community safe and thriving. The City also proudly offers exceptional employee benefits and perks! Please click here for more information on Employee Benefits, Discounts, & Incentives!
QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES
Education And Experience
Any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge and skills is qualifying. A typical way of obtaining the necessary knowledge and abilities would be:
Bachelor’s degree in administration of justice, criminology, public or business administration, political science, or closely related field.
At least three years at the rank of Lieutenant or Captain on the Torrance Police Department; or ten years of progressively responsible supervisory and administrative experience in a comparable sized police department, five years of which shall have been equivalent in type and level to at least that of Captain in the City of Torrance.
License and Certificates
Must possess and maintain a valid California Class C Drivers’ License.
Must possess POST Advanced and Management certificates.
How To Apply & Exam Process
Interested candidates must submit an online application and supplemental questionnaire at www.TorranceCA.Gov/Jobs. Application submission will be accepted on a continuous basis until the position is filled.
First review of applications will be those received by August 5, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. If a sufficient number of qualified applications are received by the first review date, there is the possibility that the recruitment may close at that time.
Only Those Candidates Who Best Meet The City And Department's Needs Will Be Invited To Participate In The Examination Process, Which Will Consist Of The Following Component
Panel Interview: Weighted 100% (
Tentatively scheduled on August 19, 2025.)
The tentative test date(s) will be based on a sufficient number of qualified applications received by the first review date. If a sufficient number of applications are not received by the first review date, there is the possibility that the test date may change to a later date.
SPECIAL NOTES
Visit www.TorranceCA.Gov to find out more information about our Community.
The City of Torrance Conflict of Interest Code requires that employees in this classification file an annual Financial Disclosure Statement. Information about this requirement may be obtained from the City Clerk's office.
Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must contact Human Resources prior to the examination date(s). If you have a disability for which you require an accommodation, please contact us at (310) 618-2915 prior to the test date. For further information, click here.
Candidates must pass each component of the exam process, as well as a thorough background investigation to be considered for hire. The background investigation will include job and personal references, arrest records, credit history, use of controlled substances, medical and psychological evaluations, drug screening and a polygraph.
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
City of Torrance Inclusion Statement
The City of Torrance is a welcoming and culturally-rich community. As a pillar of public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a talented workforce where people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, religions, and lifestyles are valued. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and contribute towards making a positive impact.
The City is an equal opportunity employer and works towards building collaborative teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. Come join us to help cultivate a workplace that welcomes and celebrates the diversity of our employees!
Benefit Summary For Executive And Management Employees
Note: Not all benefits listed may be applicable to all positions with in the unit. Please refer to the MOU for specifics.
Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance (sec.3.1)
The City's contribution for health insurance is up to $1,795.34 /month.
Employee only Employee +1 Employee +2 or more
Full time EE's $678.36 $1,308.51 $1,795.34
Part time $371.40 $639.24 $873.20
The City's monthly contribution for vision insurance is $3.33
The City's monthly contribution for dental insurance is $33.71/EE only and $67.42/EE +1 or more
The City provides a Cash In-Lieu payment of $400 per month for eligible full-time employees for as long as the employee opts-out of medical coverage
Category A employees: City shall cover under a $100,000 accidental and $200,000 term life insurance policy
Category B employees: City shall cover under a $100,000 accidental and $100,000 term life insurance policy
Disability Insurance (sec 3.1)
Employee receives 2/3 base pay after elimination period (14 consecutive days for STD and 180 consecutive days for LTD)
Retirement (Sec. 3.2)
PERS 2%@55
Employees hired prior to 09/21/2010, City pays 7% EPMC (9% for Fire Chief and Police Chief).
Employees hired on or after 09/21/2010 pay the 7% EPMC (9% for Fire Chief and Police Chief).
- Employer Paid Member Contribution (EPMC) PERS 2%@62 (Miscellaneous / PERS 2.7%@57 (Safety) "New" members hired on or after 1/01/2013 pay 50% of normal cost with three year average final compensation.
Deferred Compensation (sec. 3.3)
Required participation into a 457 plan, 401(a) plan, and a Retirement Health Savings Plan
401A Plan: City will match up to maximum of 0.5% of monthly base pay
Sick Leave (sec.3.4)
Accrual rate is 6 (six) hours per month. (Except City Manager)
Admin/Personal/Vacation Leave (Sec. 3.6) (Sec. 3.8) (Sec. 3.9)
Admin Leave: 8 days per fiscal year (Category A employees)
Personal Leave: 3 days per fiscal year (Category B employees)
(Vacation Accrual Rate Per Month)
Year 1:9.33 hours; Years 2-4: 10 hours; Years 5-9: 12.67 hours; Years 10-20: 16.02 hours; Years 21 – 24: 17.34 hours; Year 25+: 18 hours.
Maximum accrual 500 hours
Holidays (Sec 3.7)
13 paid holidays (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday, Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve)
Bereavement Leave (sec 3.10)
Up to five (5) work shifts of bereavement leave; three (3) shifts with pay and two (2) shifts without pay per death of eligible family members
Reimbursable Expenses (Sec. 3.13)
Category A employees: Up to $1,500 per fiscal year
Category B employees: Up to $750 per fiscal year
