Police Oversight Deputy Director

Pay Range: $112,880 - $149,566 annual compensation

Job Posting Closing on: Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Benefits for this position include: 11 Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Pension Plan, Professional Development Opportunities, and much more.

The Opportunity

The Office of Police Oversight Monitor (OPOM) has an opportunity for a Police Oversight Deputy Director who will assist in planning, directing, managing the activities and operations of the OPOM, including providing civilian oversight over Fort Worth law enforcement by reviewing, analyzing, evaluating, and processing public complaints.  The Deputy Police Oversight Monitor will provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Police Oversight Director.

OPOM has been tasked with promoting public confidence in the professionalism and accountability of the sworn staff of Fort Worth law enforcement, and it is accomplished by independent review and monitor of citizen complaint investigations and use of force incidents; recommended changes to departmental policy, procedures, and practices; audits of departmental practices including data review and analyses; collaboration with the FWPD on problem-solving efforts to address root causes after the identification of patterns; mediation efforts; and conducting on-going community-police engagement outreaches as well as dissemination of information regarding OPOM and its activities including periodic reporting. These responsibilities are key to reduce incidents of alleged police misconduct, and ultimately, enhance relationships between the community and law enforcement. OPOM is also tasked with providing a recommendation to the City Administration and City Council on a community oversight model.

The Police Oversight Deputy Director job responsibilities include:

• Assists with the activities of the Office of Police Oversight Monitor, which includes planning, coordinating, administering, and evaluating programs, projects, processes, procedures, systems, standards, and/or service offerings; ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, codes, and/or standards.
• Accepts public complaints against law enforcement. Conducts initial interviews with the complainants explaining the oversight and investigative process.  Assists with explanations of law enforcement policies and procedures to complainants.
• Participates in the complaint investigation process when complaint is of a serious nature. Assist in reviewing and monitoring use of force and critical incidents and investigations.
• Maintains communication with Fort Worth law enforcement, its Operational and Patrol Commands including, but not limited to, Internal Affairs, Policy Management and Training. Forwards any relevant information of an investigation to the Police Department and the Internal Affairs Division.  Forwards any relevant information of an investigation to the Police Oversight Director.
• Researches, provides and makes policy recommendations to the Police Oversight Director.
• Initiates and maintains relationships with the community and citizens. Identifies opportunities to initiate relationships with the public including networking, attending community events, developing outreach programs, etc.  Gains, strengthens and enhances trust between the City, community and general public.
• Interacts with the community and keeps the community informed about the work of the Police Oversight Office, the City’s role and oversight of law enforcement, law enforcement related activities impacting the community, etc. Assists with publishing newsletters, periodic reports including annual reports, makes public appearances and presents to the community as well as city officials on behalf of the Department.
• Conducts audits, data collection and analytics as well as periodic analyses of data identifying patterns and trends.
• Maintains confidentiality in compliance with local, state and federal law and regulations and the applicable Meet and Confer Agreement.
• Monitors and evaluates the quality, responsiveness, efficiency and effectiveness of related programs, service delivery methods and procedures, and works with subordinate employees on the continuous improvement of City services.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have policing expertise, experience, or exposure and a knowledge of laws, principles, practice and procedures related to conducting investigations and administrative hearings.  They must possess and maintain the highest degree of integrity, objectivity, and independence to ensure against any perception of bias. 

The ideal candidate will possess knowledge, experience and skills including:

• Knowledge of social issues, public opinion, organization and subcultures.
• Effective framework of governmental and procedural justice.
• Exceptional data analytics skills.
• Exceptional analytical, verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to manage people, programs development and administration.
• Proficiency of organization and management practices and methods, including goal setting, program development and implementation, employee supervision, personnel management, employee relations, team building, budget development and financial management.
• High level of resiliency and the ability not to personalize adversity.
• The ability to work independently, fairly and objectively. Demonstrate objectivity towards law enforcement and community interests.
• Knowledge of police administration and organization, and the rules, laws and regulations.
• Extensive experience in local, state or federal law enforcement.
• State, federal, and local laws including criminal law and employment law.
• State Civil Service Law (Chapter 143 of the Texas Local Government Code) and Civil Rights Law.
• Operations, services and activities of an oversight program.
• Methods and techniques of investigation, training, counseling and conflict resolution.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles and practices of staying current with recent developments in the law enforcement community.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Criminal Justice, labor/employment law, public administration, criminal justice, or a related field.  At least six (6) years of experience in the field of public administration focused on criminal justice or policing (2) years of supervisory responsibility.
• No prior experience with or other representation of the Fort Worth Police Department or individual Fort Worth Police Officers.  Preference will be given to individuals with experience in in all phases of law enforcement monitoring, auditing and compliance, civilian oversight administration, procedural justice and civil rights protection.  
• CJIS Fingerprint background Screening.

Working Conditions

Applicants for this position must pass a Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) fingerprint-based background check and maintain CJIS eligibility.  Due to CJIS requirements related to system access, the following will result in being disqualified for this position:  Felony Convictions, Felony Deferred Adjudication, Class A Misdemeanor Conviction, Class B Misdemeanor Convictions in the last 10 years, Class A Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication, Class B Misdemeanor Deferred Adjudication in the last 10 years, an Open Arrest for Any Criminal Offense (Felony or Misdemeanor), and ALL Family Violence Convictions regardless of class.