Welcome, ‘ist das Leben schön!’ (Life is good!) At the City of New Braunfels, our five Core Values serve as a cornerstone of our work: Integrity, Service, Visionary Leadership, Stewardship of Resources, and Cultural Heritage. We seek out leaders who are committed to embodying the values outlined in our Executive Leadership Team Charter. This encompasses behavioral standards such as humility, collaboration, and engagement, as well as essential leadership qualities like courage, respect, and leading by example. Additionally, the charter emphasizes our collective values of trust, integrity, and excellence.
What we’re looking for: The ideal candidate for Police Chief is a personable and approachable leader who can cultivate strong, authentic relationships with staff at all levels, collaborate effectively with other city departments and engage with the community. This leader will be equipped to address staffing challenges and enhance community engagement through proactive outreach initiatives. The successful candidate will exhibit empathy and understanding, recognizing the unique challenges of a tourist destination, and will be dedicated to supporting staff well-being and work-life balance. A solid foundation in law enforcement, combined with budgeting expertise and experience in community engagement initiatives, is essential for success in this role.
GENERAL PURPOSE: Under direction of the City Manager plans, coordinates and directs the City of New Braunfels Police Department activities and employees, including field operations, investigations, support services, and administration; assures Department’s compliance with state and Federal laws and City policies and procedures. Develops and administers strategic plans to ensure that police services are efficient, effective and consistent with the City’s values.
The responsibilities you’ll be trusted with:
The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.
- Provides leadership, direction and guidance in Police Department strategies and priorities; evaluates City needs, determines law enforcement requirements and goals, and assures that citizens receive the highest quality of Police services. Enforces the laws and engages the community productively in partnership against criminal elements and antisocial behaviors. Plans, coordinates, and directs the Police Department operations; coordinates Department operations within the City, and assures program objectives and standards are defined, attained, communicated, and congruent with the overall goals of the City.
- Develops and directs strategies to meet City goals and objectives; interprets concerns, defines desired results, develops solutions, determines scope and priorities of programs and special projects; develops and manages budget and expenditures.
- Maintains the integrity, professionalism, values and goals of the Department and the City by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed, and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
- Lives the City’s Leadership Practices and promotes those throughout the Department.
- Directs the activities of the Police Department officers and staff; plans, prioritizes and assigns tasks and projects; instructs and trains staff, monitors work, develops staffs’ job specific and leadership skills, and evaluates performance and holds individuals accountable; analyzes workload trends and implements staffing and assignment adjustments.
- Assures effective communications through-out all department divisions and within each rank. Proactively communicates with the City Manager’s Office and other Executive Leadership team members in regular meetings and in matters of particular significance. Proactively and effectively addresses conflict within the department and/or cross departmentally.
- Conducts research, analysis and strategic planning functions; meets regularly with staff to discuss and resolve workload and technical issues; develops goals and priorities; monitors operations to identify and resolve problems.
- Maintains discipline and assures compliance to Police Department policies and general orders; investigates, resolves and mediates administrative, inter-agency, and operational inquiries and complaints; negotiates and resolves sensitive, significant, and controversial issues.
- Evaluates Department operations and activities, and recommends changes and improvements to existing programs, priorities, policies and procedures. Regularly analyzes policing data, such as but not limited to response times, major crime indices and racial profiling reports, making data or evidence-based adjustments and changes as needed to meet the goals of the department.
- Partners with the River Manager and Parks & Recreation department in effective river management.
- Partners with other City leaders in Emergency Management Operations such as weather events, protests or natural disasters.
- Directs coordination with Federal, state and local law enforcement organizations, other City departments, outside organizations and businesses; proactively manages community relations, including community bias or stereotypes (positive or negative) about policing and resolves community issues; prepares and presents reports for internal and external audiences.
- Reviews trends in law enforcement operations and implements procedural improvements.
- Performs other duties as assigned or required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Your areas of knowledge and expertise that matter most for this role:
· Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Police Science or related field, and seven (7) years command-level law enforcement experience, with progressive responsibility in police administration a plus; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
· Knowledge of and experience with Civil Service Chapter 143
· Graduate work or advanced degree in Police Administration or Public Administration
· Graduation from a command leadership program such as the F.B.I. National Academy, Southern Police Institute or Southwest Legal Command Management College or similar program.
Required Licenses or Certifications:
· Must possess current and valid Advanced Law Enforcement Officer Certification from Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officers Standards and Education (TCOLE), or similar level of certification from another state. Master Peace Officer and Instructor certifications preferred.
- Valid Texas Driver’s License or must obtain within 60 days of employment.
Required Knowledge of:
· City organization, operations, policies and procedures.
· City, county, state and Federal laws, regulations and ordinances.
· Duties, powers, authorities and limitations of a municipal Police Chief.
· Knowledge of Civil Service Chapter 143
· Modern law enforcement management principles, and techniques and practices for effective, efficient and cost-effective management of allocated resources.
· Texas criminal justice and court systems, and principles of criminal justice records management.
· Law enforcement methods, practices, and procedures; including case laws governing arrest, rules of evidence, probable cause, and search and seizure and de-escalation methods.
· Investigative and interrogative procedures.
· Police Department General Orders, policies and procedures.
· Management principles, practices, and methods.
Required Skill in:
· Analyzing Police Department issues, evaluating alternatives, and making logical recommendations based on findings.
· Assuming command level responsibilities and making appropriate decisions, while assuring compliance with Department goals and objectives.
· Interpreting laws and regulations and working effectively under stressful conditions.
· Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with City employees, other criminal justice agencies and the general public.
· Inclusive and culturally competent.
· Exercising controlled discretion and mediating difficult situations.
· Assessing and prioritizing multiple tasks, projects and demands.
· Operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of business software.
· Effective communication, both verbal and written.
· Supervising and leading staff, and delegating tasks and authority.
Your work environment will include:
- Work is performed indoors and outdoors with exposure to inclement weather; may be exposed to physical attacks, hazardous chemicals, infectious and communicable diseases; required to physically restrain persons; subject to extended periods of intense concentration in review of crime scenes, special investigations and law enforcement report preparation. Subject to sitting constantly; handling, fine dexterity (able to handle firearm), vision (color discrimination required to identify clothing, features, and characteristics of suspects and vehicles), hearing and talking frequently. Must be able to work in uniform (including belt and vest) during weekdays, weekends, and holidays on any assigned shift.
- Must maintain a level of physical fitness to meet Department standards.
