Chief of Police

Job Purpose

Under limited supervision, the Chief of Police is responsible for overseeing and ensuring the effective planning, organization, staffing, directing, coordinating, reporting, and budgeting for all aspects of the police department. The position is responsible for training personnel, public information services, and emergency planning. The chief must maintain compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and coordinate with other law enforcement departments regarding matters of public safety.

This position must determine efficient and innovative strategies to maintain and balance services within a given budget; this position is responsible for splitting time between administrative and field service, including conducting arrests, preparing court cases, testifying in court proceedings, and representing the department in civil proceedings.

• Leads the department in fulfilling its mission and vision in addition to department logistics for delivering police services.
• Supervises department employees:
  • Reviews police employee timesheets
  • Provides annual performance evaluations of all police personnel
  • Assigns daily, weekly, or monthly patrol and police service assignments as directed by complaints or community needs observations.
  • Administers minor disciplinary actions and communicates with the Mayor and Police Commision as needed.
  • Makes recommendations regarding hiring open positions.
  • Ensures proper logging, control, possession, and supervision of all evidence collected and secured for criminal investigations.
• Performs strategic planning and goal setting for the department, including long-term, intermediate, and short-term goals; event planning; and crisis management.
• Coordinates with external agencies and cross-trains employees.
• Prepares the department’s budget, including allocation of resources, inventory control, preparation of RFP’s, reviewing and researching products, setting a plan of spending, and conducting cost benefit analyses.
• Coordinates with other administrative officer, departments, inter‑agency efforts, civic organizations, business leaders, and concerned citizens to identify and solve community problems.
• Ensures employees are in compliance with accreditation, such as NCIC, state certifications, personnel certifications, etc.
• Performs police functions such as: arresting suspects, preparing reports, testifying in court, preparing cases, conducting police activities, and training for police certifications.
• Leads the day‑to‑day operations of the police department, to include preparing administrative reports, conducting internal investigations, investigating complaints, and assigning special patrols and investigations.
• Refers to state and federal law, department and City policies, City statutes, and leadership materials in daily operations and duties. Assists uniform and non‑uniform personnel in interpreting and enforcing laws and ordinances enforced by the Department, refers investigations to other appropriate agencies as warranted.
• Operates a variety of machinery and/or equipment such as police vehicles, computers, radios, surveillance systems, firearms, and other safety equipment.
• Attends all meetings of the City of Elkins Common Council or designates an officer to do so in his/her absence.
• Establishes and maintains a healthy working environment for all personnel and interacts with all shift personnel.
• Assess and monitors department workload, identifies opportunities for improvement and implements change as necessary.
• Serves as the department liaison with the community.
• Responds to after‑hours emergencies when requested.

• A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Minimum of eight years combined operational and administrative experience in a related position.
• Must be a certified West Virginia Law Enforcement Officer. Must have a valid state driver’s license.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong community outreach skills (i.e., business owners, residents, schools, churches, non‑profit organizations, etc.).
• Ability to develop and implement a budget and…