Police Chief

Under the direction of the Village Administrator, this position directs, sets goals and objectives, and oversees all department operations. This position holds the highest-level management position within the Police Department and is ultimately responsible for the complete control, operation, and representation of the Village’s police department and its employees. The Chief is responsible for managing the physical facilities and equipment; supervising departmental activities; formulating and enforcing department rules of conduct and policies; coordinating departmental activities with outside agencies; preparing and justifying departmental budgets; making recommendations for hiring, promotions, commendations, and discipline with confirmation by the Law Enforcement Committee and Village Board; setting individual and departmental goals and objectives; and making major changes in procedures and organization. The Chief also provides information to the Village Board, business groups, service organizations, special committees, and representing both the Village and the department to the general public, governmental agencies, news media, etc. This position is appointed by the Village Board and supervises all employees hired to serve as employees of the West Salem Police Department. Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples listed include all the duties that may be found in this position.

• Oversees all activities of the department for adherence to established policies and work methods.

• Plans, reviews, and coordinates departmental activities with the Village Administrator, Department Heads, Village Board, Law Enforcement Committee, and other appointed and elected officials.

• Performs or directs the performance of tasks related to fiscal, personnel, property, and records management and other administrative tasks.

• Supervises the day-to-day activities of the police department officers and staff; evaluates and monitors police department policies and procedures.

• Develops and projects a good public image of the department and its employees with the general public, other law enforcement agencies, governmental officials, and the news media.

• Coordinates departmental activities with other governmental agencies in the apprehension of felons, improvement of police services, and the solving of criminal cases.

• Responsible for the recruitment and retention of police personnel; evaluates personnel, administers discipline and grievance processes within the Police Department.

• Assigns subordinate staff members to various positions within the department to utilize their areas of expertise and promote career development.

• Prepares, reviews, approves, and submits police department annual operating budget for consideration by the Village Administrator and Village Board and supervises expenditures of departmental appropriations.

• Develops rules of conduct, policies, mission statements, goals and objectives and work procedures to be followed by members of the department based on trends in village government, law enforcement requirements and village growth patterns.

• Attends meetings of the Village Board, as well as meetings directed by the Village Administrator and other committees of jurisdiction.

• Represents the police department at meetings and hearings conducted by other governmental bodies and agencies on matters directly related to the department's operations; provides liaison with other organizations and groups on matters related to the department's operations.

• Actively participates in Community Policing programs.

• Searches and applies for grant opportunities.

• Represents management of the Police Department in union contract negotiations and grievance processes.

• Develops and annually reviews the department's long-range plan for capital improvements, including the acquisition of capital equipment and fiscal requirements associated with such a plan.

• Monitors the planning, organization, conduct and evaluation of departmental training activities of personnel; reviews programs of instruction designed to equip department personnel with the knowledge and skills needed to perform the tasks they are assigned.

• Serves as the Village’s Emergency Management Director; assists the Fire Chief and Public Works Director with planning, organization, and conducting of activities related to the provision of emergency services and disaster management, including readiness planning.