Job Description

Police Chief

While this position is scheduled to close on 11/08/2026, it may close earlier if a sufficient number of qualified applications is received. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for full consideration.

DEFINITION:

Under minimal supervision, plan, direct, and manage the activities and operations of the Police department including law enforcement and dispatch functions, crime prevention and crime suppression programs; coordinate assigned activities with other departments and outside agencies; provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The Police Chief must be a servant leader who develops cooperation through inclusion of input from all members of the Police Department, other City departments, City management, the City Council, and the public.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties listed below represent the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them if the work is related or a logical assignment to this class.

• Manage all department services and activities including planning and directing municipal police services and deploying police resources; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Manage the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies and priorities for each assigned service area.
• Establish, within city policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocate resources accordingly.
• Plan, direct and coordinate, through subordinate level co-workers, the Police department's work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct and implement changes.
• Serve as a resource to the community; counsel and/or negotiate citizen concerns, complaints and problems; respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Direct and assist with investigation work in which major crimes, accident or other unusual incidents are involved.
• Select, train, motivate and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate co-worker training; work with subordinate co-workers to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.
• Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the department budget; approve the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary.
• Explain, justify and defend department programs, policies and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive and controversial issues.
• Represent the Police department to other departments, elected officials and outside agencies; coordinate assigned activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
• Provide staff assistance to the City Manager; participate on a variety of boards, commissions and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Provide staff support to assigned boards and commissions.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings, seminars and associations; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of police science.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Knowledge of:

• Operations, services and activities of a comprehensive municipal law enforcement program.
• Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code on Civil Service
• Modern principles, practices and techniques of police administration, organization and operation.
• Methods and techniques of investigation, identification and collection of evidence.
• Law enforcement theory, principles and practices and their application to a wide variety of services and programs.
• Principles and practices of crime prevention, suppression and law enforcement.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Use of firearms and other modern police equipment.
• Recent court decisions and how they affect department operations.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:

• Manage and direct a comprehensive law enforcement program.
• Develop and administer departmental goals, objectives and procedures.
• Analyze and assess programs, policies and operational needs and make appropriate adjustments.
• Identify and respond to sensitive community and organizational issues, concerns and needs.
• Plan, organize, direct and coordinate the work of subordinate co-workers.
• Delegate authority and responsibility.
• Select, supervise, train and evaluate subordinate co-workers.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Research, analyze and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Perform criminal investigations involving complex and sensitive situations.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
• Operate firearms and motor vehicles.
• Prepare clear and concise administrative and financial reports.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets.
• Interpret and apply applicable Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Requirements

Education, Training and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in criminology, police science, public administration or a related field. A master's degree and/or an advanced law enforcement leadership development program(s) is preferred.
• Ten years of progressive managerial experience in municipal law enforcement including five years of management and administrative responsibility.

Licenses and Certifications:

• A valid State driver's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.
• Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Master Peace Officer Certification.

Special Requirements:

• Position requires regular in-person attendance including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Must meet all training and certification requirements established by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) for municipal police chiefs.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for the employee to frequently sit, talk and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools listed above; reach with hands and arms; climb and balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl; and taste and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this class, an employee uses written and oral communication skills; reads and interprets data, information and documents; analyzes and solves problems; uses math and mathematical reasoning; performs highly detailed work; deals with multiple concurrent tasks; and interacts with others encountered in the course of work, including frequent contact with customers and/or the public and dissatisfied/abusive individuals.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration. It may be expected that the individual could be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials during the course of their duties.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Benefits

The City of Waxahachie offers a competitive benefits program,

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