Police Chief-City of Thomasville (GA)

The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP) will serve as the primary recruiting agency for this position. Please visit www.thomasville.org/jobs for the full Job Description and Application Procedures.
Application Deadline: September, 15, 2023

The Thomasville Police Department is looking for a dynamic Police Chief to command a CALEA-accredited police agency of 77 members (67 sworn officers; 10 civilians 3 of which are part time). The department is widely recognized for being community-oriented, innovative, diverse, and transparent. Principal components of the department include the Support Services Section, consisting of the Administrative Services Division, Records Division, Crime Analysis and Court Operations, the Operations Section, consisting of the Patrol Division, Special Operations Division, and Criminal Investigations Division. The Office of the Chief of Police consists of the Professional Standards Unit, the Assistant Police Chief and the Administrative Coordinator. Thomasville is located in southwest Georgia approximately 35 miles from Tallahassee, Florida.

Police Chief must have exceptional leadership skills along with a collaborative, team-oriented management style. The Police Chief must be a visionary leader with a sound business acumen and solid budgetary skills, awareness of emerging police practices, techniques and technology, and skills in collaboration and building partnerships. A sampling of essential duties includes, but is not limited to the following:

1. Direct overall administration and operations of the Thomasville Police Department.
2. Responsible for directing, through subordinate personnel, all activities involving administration, training, and operations.
3. Designs and implements law enforcement, crime prevention and crime suppression programs.
4. Responsible for maintaining national accreditation through the Commission Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and state certification through the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP).
5. Prepares/maintains an annual police operating budget estimated at $7.4 million and a municipal court operating budget of approximately $330,000.
6. Supervises/participates in staff training in leadership best practices, police methods, procedures and duties, community focus, and legal updates, particularly at the administrative and supervisory levels.
7. Has oversight and responsibility for fully investigating citizen complaints concerning departmental services and personnel in a professional, fair, and impartial manner.
8. Attends meetings and makes presentations to various groups to explain activities or functions of the department, to advocate for department needs, and to establish favorable public relations.
9. Appears before City Council to explain departmental plans, requests and activities as directed.
10. Develops/administers and keeps current personnel rules and standard operating procedures.
11. Recruits and selects new employees, approves promotions, and transfers with oversight for all personnel actions.
12. Responsible for maintaining/promoting the Community Orienting Policing philosophy, establishing community partnerships, and participating in community outreach programs.
13. Responds to calls for service as a police officer when needed.
14. Responds to and assumes overall command during critical incidents within the City of Thomasville and assists during critical incidents in neighboring jurisdictions when appropriate.
15. Maintains Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) training and certification levels commensurate with the position.
16. Develops, maintains, and enhances professional working relationships with other law enforcement and public safety agencies at the local, state, and national levels.
17. Develops, maintains, and enhances professional working relationships with community partners, business leaders and elected officials at the local, state, and national levels.
18. Communicates well and works collaboratively with the City Manager, Assistant City Manager(s), City Leadership Team, and other City employees on matters affecting public safety and department operations.
19. Provides overall direction and leadership when developing and implementing Operations Orders and conducting After Action Reviews (AAR) related to city events, private, permitted events, investigative operations, and critical incidents.
20. Be an active member of professional organizations such as Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP), International Association of Chief of Police (IACP), Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), National Organization for Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) and Georgia Association of Women in Public Safety, National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE) or similar organizations.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:
This position requires a bachelor’s degree in public/business administration or closely related field; a master’s degree is preferred. Candidates should have at least ten (10) years of progressive executive management in governmental law enforcement agency administration. Must be highly organized with excellent communication skills and a proven record of independent judgment. Candidates must have experience in strategic planning, performance measurement, community engagement and experience in a state, national or international accreditation program is desired.

Exceptional candidates will have completed advanced training through agencies such as the FBI National Academy, Southern Police Institute, Georgia Command College or equivalent. Must be certified or able to be certified under the Georgia Peace Officers Standard and Training Act (POST) within one year of service and must maintain POST certification throughout their tenure. Must have a valid driver's license.

The Police Chief must be able to annually qualify on all firearms and less lethal devices authorized to be carried, and complete a Physical Abilities Test (PAT), which is based upon the Georgia POST PAT, on an annual basis which includes, walking, running, climbing, hurdling, crawling, dragging a 150 pound dummy and other physical requirements as outlined in the Thomasville Police Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). PAT physical requirements are daily job functions of a police officer during the normal course of duty. Position requires working in extreme conditions related to weather, apprehension of suspects, chemical usage, and other physical conditions required by police personnel.

SALARY & BENEFITS:
The City of Thomasville will offer a competitive compensation and benefits package, based on qualifications, from $94,006 up to the midpoint of $124,558 of the established salary range.

For more information, please visit: http://www.thomasville.org/jobs