Police Chief

The Village of Belleville, Wisconsin (pop. 2,761 est.) is located in both Dane and Green County, just 10 minutes south of Verona and 30 minutes from downtown Madison. The Village of Belleville allows residents to enjoy the convenience and amenities of the Madison region while enjoying the small-town feel. Belleville has experienced rapid population growth and development and is one of the fastest-growing communities in Dane or Green Counties. The Village is seeking a skilled public safety professional to be a candidate for the next Chief of Police. The Village is a full-service municipality. The department has the following sworn officers: a Chief, one sergeant, one Detective, four officers, three part-time officers and one civilian position. One sworn officer position was added in FY 2023, and additional personnel, including a School Resource Officer, is projected in the upcoming years. The Chief manages a budget of approximately $900,000. In 2023, the Department responded to approximately 8,384 calls for service. Dane County provides dispatch services. The Village seeks an adaptable law enforcement professional who can lead a police force in an actively growing community. The ideal candidate will have an inclusive, collaborative management style and clear and concise communication skills. Candidates should have an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, as outlined below: •Minimum of an associate’s degree in law enforcement or a related field. Minimum of 5 years of full-time police experience. Certification as a police officer by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board. Previous supervisory experience. The starting salary range is $80,000 to $94,000 +/- DOQ. The Village offers a competitive benefits package. The Chief is recommended by the Police Committee and appointed by the Village Board. Candidates should apply by December 20, 2024, with a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three work-related references to Gabe Altenbernd, Village Administrator, 24 W. Main Street, Belleville, WI 53508. The Village is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Village of Belleville, WI Belleville Police Department Chief of Police Job Description The Chief of Police is responsible for the leadership and oversight of the Belleville Police Department. The Chief of Police is on the Village’s leadership team and works under the general direction of the Police Committee and Village Administrator. General Summary The Chief of Police oversees all department operations, budgets, and personnel, including making recommendations on hiring and disciplining personnel to the Police Committee and Village Administrator. The Chief assures that law and order are maintained, laws and ordinances are enforced, measures are implemented to prevent crimes and protect lives and property, and affirmative action guidelines are met. The Chief is responsible for recording, compiling, and reporting information to other public safety agencies, including but not limited to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Dane and Green Counties, the State of Wisconsin, and other federal agencies. The Chief of Police is a “working chief,” expected to perform patrol and officer duties as necessary. Essential Duties & Responsibilities The duties and responsibilities listed below are not exclusive or all-inclusive. When necessary, other duties/special projects may be required and assigned. •Design, write, implement, and evaluate department policies and procedures. •Design and implement work methods and procedures to be followed by the department. •Evaluate department personnel as prescribed by village and department personnel policies. This includes riding with the officers on patrols at intervals during the year. •Evaluate working conditions and take necessary steps to improve law enforcement operations. •Maintain acceptable activity in the enforcement of traffic and safety regulations within state statutes and village ordinances. •Supervise departmental personnel in all areas of law enforcement responsibilities. •Implement crime prevention and criminal detection programs. •Prepare an annual budget within the needs of the department and work with the village administrator, the police committee, and the village board. •Approve the departments’ bills and payroll for payment. •Plan or conduct training programs necessary to maintain the minimum training requirements of the Village of Belleville or Wisconsin Law Enforcement Stands Board. •Maintain reports gathered by speed boards and other equipment. Conduct research as requested by the Village Board. •Compile and submit all reports mandated by local, county, state, and federal agencies. •Cooperate with county, state, and federal offices where their activities and the activities of the department are involved. •Establish and maintain favorable and working relationships with the public. Leadership •Maintains a record of required staff certifications and recommends training and continuing education credit opportunities. •Trains staff as appropriate in work and safety procedures and in the operation of equipment and tools. •Prioritizes the need for maintenance work. Effectively and courteously works with the public to resolve questions, concerns, and problems. •Participate in developing and implementing Department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities. •Recommends appropriate service and staffing levels. •Administers policies and procedures. •Assists with preparing the State of Wisconsin reporting requirements and applications. •This position includes on-call responsibilities. Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities •Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of modern law enforcement administration and methods. •Thorough knowledge of the standards by which the quality of law enforcement services is evaluated. •Thorough knowledge of the use of law enforcement records and their applications to police administration and future planning. •Ability to plan, delegate, and supervise the work of subordinates performing various operations connected with law enforcement. •Develop proper training and instructional procedures for those employed and maintain a high-level of discipline and morale. •Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with local officials; county, state and federal authorities; civic leaders; and the general public. •Ability to prepare and present oral and written information and material relating to the activities of the department. Judgement and Situational Reasoning Ability Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and/or judgmental criteria. Ability to use functional reasoning in performing influence functions such as supervising, managing, leading, teaching, directing and controlling. Education and Experience Minimum of an Associate’s Degree in law enforcement or a related field is preferred or equivalent in years of experience, education, and training. Certification as a police officer by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board. •Have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a valid Wisconsin license.•Law enforcement related experience to include investigation, administration, supervision, and training. •Certification in CPR/CCR required. EMT license is preferred.•Minimum of 5 years of full-time police experience.•Supervisory experience required.•Residency within 20 to 30 minutes of the Village is required. Ability to be NIMS (National Incident Management System) certified within one year of completion of probation. Physical Demands This position requires the ability to engage in strenuous physical activity for several hours at a time. Employees in this position must be able to work outside in cold, hot, or inclement weather. Must be able to move about freely at facilities and field work sites; bend or stoop, squat for a period of time, twist, push or pull, reach above shoulder level, and climb ladders. Ability to operate equipment and machinery with some requiring complex and rapid adjustments, such as squad car, firearms, restraint devices, intoximeter, radar, computer keyboard, portable breath test, dictation equipment and radios. Must be able to finger, handle and feel objects, and visually inspect work for flaws at close range and long range. Must be able to lift/move fifty (50) pounds regularly and up to over one hundred (100) pounds occasionally. Residency within 20 to 30 minutes of Village limits required. Other This position description has been prepared to assist in defining the position, its essential duties and responsibilities, the management style and personal traits, minimum education and experience requirements, physical demands, and qualifications. It is not intended as a complete list of duties, responsibilities, knowledge and ability requirements, physical demands, and qualifications. This position description is not intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of the employee under supervision. The Village retains and reserves any and all rights to change, modify, amend, add or delete, from any section of this document, as it deems necessary. The Village of Belleville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the American Disabilities Act, the Village will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.