Police Chief

Under administrative direction of the Mayor, the Police Chief provides leadership and management of the Police Department and works closely with the community to understand needs and address them with contemporary policing practices. The position works closely with the Mayor and City Council to align the vision and mission of police services to that of the City of Mount Vernon.

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills.  This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class.  Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours.  Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function.  Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:
 

• Provides general management of the Police Department; plans, organizes, and directs resources; develops and updates the Department’s multi-year plan and strategic goals and develops rules and regulations.
• Provides efficient, adequate, and continuous police services; provides fair enforcement of laws and ordinances and protects life and property.
• Develops and demonstrates standards for professional ethics and conduct; holds personnel and the Department accountable to outlined standards; ensures alignment to overall vision and mission of the City.
• Supervises, directly, and leads mid-managers (Lieutenants, Records Manager, etc.) and indirectly supervises all other personnel; oversees, investigates, and administers appropriate discipline in cases of misconduct.
• Provides feedback and recommendations to the appointing authority on recruitment, hiring, and promotion of candidates and employees; reviews supervisory evaluation of employee performance.
• Develops and oversees the Department budgets and plans; allocates resources based on the needs; identifies and pursues alternate funding sources for Department operations.
• Serves as a liaison between community members and the Police Department; works to understand the needs of the community and how to best deliver police services.
• Ensures appropriate control measures for equipment, evidence, valuable assets, personnel conduct, force use, emergency driving, etc.
• Provides adequate police records systems for internal use; provides public accessibility of records as allowable by law; provides secure storage for evidence and found property.
• Manages the Department response in times of disaster or other major calamity; oversees emergency management and serves as a member of the City’s Emergency Management Response Team, planning to address large scale critical incidents.
• Attends City Council and City planning meetings; attends staff meetings at the Department and City levels; assists the Mayor in special planning and projects, as needed.
• Performs related duties as assigned. 

Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, Business Management, or related field AND ten (10) years of full-time employment as a Police Officer in a fully paid Police Department with a minimum of five (5) years as a Lieutenant or position of equivalent or higher authority; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Knowledge of: 

• Innovative and contemporary policing practices and application of theory to real life circumstances.
• Human resources and collective bargaining.
• Managing personnel issues, particularly complex and sensitive ones.
• Local, State, and Federal laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances. 
• Causes and conditions underlying criminality and strategies aimed at reducing crime.
• Budget development and administration.
• Records maintenance and retention policies and procedures. 
• Supervisory principles and practices. 

 
Skill in:

• Providing effective managerial, leadership, and direction.
• Interacting tactfully and professionally with City staff, outside agencies, and the public. 
• Preparing comprehensive reports and correspondence.
• Analyzing complex issues that influence crime, public safety, and quality of life and implementing appropriate responses in effort to affect meaningful change.
• Applying system problem solving models to issues affecting the Department and delivery of service.
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships.
• Developing effective relationships with citizens to offer two-way exchanges of ideas that promote partnership in solving community problems.
• Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 
Must possess a valid State driver's license.
Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, Executive Level Certification is required.
FBI National Academy or equivalent course work through another nationally recognized program is required.
 
BENEFITS:
 

• 12 Paid Holidays (includes floating holiday)
• Vacation and Sick Leave
• HRA/VEBA Option
• $200,000 Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Washington State Law Enforcement Officers & Firefighters Retirement System (LEOFFII)
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Comp Program
• Voluntary Health & Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts
• 3% Deferred Comp Match (457) Plan

 
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS:
 Responses to supplemental questions should be no more than one page per question.  Please use 1” margins and not smaller than 12-point font.
 

1. What have you taken away from the last several years of police reform calls?
2. What role does the community have in your organization now or one you’ve served in previously? 
3. How do you decide what should be an organizational priority?
4. What could we be doing if money and staffing were not barriers? 

 
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE CANDIDATE
Response to the scenario should be limited to 5 typed pages, double spaced, on white 8 1/2x11 inch paper using a 12-point font. 

PURPOSE
This assignment is designed to assist the Mayor in evaluating your ability to demonstrate critical thinking and leadership qualities through written word.  Vision, ingenuity, turning thoughts to words, and an ability to think and communicate as an executive are necessary attributes for a Mount Vernon Police Chief.
 
RATING
You will be rated on your ability to effectively put your thoughts into words.  In addition, the document will be examined for proper grammar, organization, and development.  
 
INTRODUCTION
 Mount Vernon’s oldest business district is Historic Downtown and is one of the key pillars for the surrounding community.   Over the years, merchants have felt competition from the North River Commercial area off College Way, malls and outlet centers in neighboring Burlington.  Limited parking for customers and employees is another factor along with legal or governmental offices replacing retail fronts.  
 
The Downtown Merchants Association has a strong working relationship with City leaders to promote area vitality.   They’ve worked collaboratively to address problems from the growing homeless crisis.  In Mayor Donovan’s previous role, he worked collaboratively with Mayor Boudreau to lead a strategic plan to address disorder, decay and crime fears affecting Historic Downtown’s quality of life.

SCENARIO: 
The Downtown Business Merchants Association has requested a meeting with the Police Chief over recent incidents where they have questions about actions taken by Mount Vernon Police Department.  The Merchant Director has sent you the three most pressing questions that will be raised at an upcoming meeting:
 

1. A suspect entered a merchant store and stole over $500.00 worth of merchandise.  The person ran from the store into an awaiting car and sped away.  A nearby Police Officer gave chase in their patrol car but shortly after, deactivated his emergency lights letting the car go.  Why, what message are we sending, and what can be done? 
2. Another store owner shared that an individual who appeared “homeless” was walking up and down the sidewalk with a “blank stare and periodically talking to himself”.  He watched as several customers crossed the street to avoid him and it looked like they left downtown altogether.  The police staff have previously encouraged calling 911 however when they did, the officer “just talked” to the individual and left them on their own.  Why are they not removing the person and what can we do to address this problem that is driving customers elsewhere? 
3. A merchant caught two juveniles stealing from a customer’s car.  One juvenile was passively resistant, used abusive language and made a scene.  The other juvenile appeared remorseful.  When the remorseful juvenile’s parents arrived, they wanted their child to cooperate with the police and “take responsibility”.   The investigating Police Officer told the parents they couldn’t speak with their child without an attorney giving permission.  An attorney couldn’t be located and over the objection of the parents who wanted this to be a learning moment, the officer didn’t speak to their child.  Why did this happen and what can we do differently next time?
4. Finally, Merchants want to know what the police department can do to improve security, safety and reduce crime fears for their customers and employees. 

Keep in mind the primary purpose for this meeting is strengthening the effective relationship it has with our Downtown community.
 
APPLICATION PROCESS:  
 
Interested applicants must submit a cover letter, resume and respond to the above Supplemental Questions and Assignment with their application.   Applications must be received no later than 11:59 pm on Sunday, March 3, 2024.  Candidate interviews will be scheduled for March 11th and 12th.  For additional information, or a complete job description, please contact Human Resources at mvhr@mountvernonwa.gov.
 
 

Salary : $138,075 - $181,697