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City of Martinez

POLICE CAPTAIN

City of Martinez, Houston, Texas, United States,


The Police Department

The members of the Martinez Police Department are dedicated to providing the highest quality police services. The Department has a staff of 53 FTE’s, (37 sworn and 16 FTE professional staff), with an annual operating budget of $16.6 million.The Martinez Police Department offers a full slate of policing services to the community, including officers dedicated to investigations, traffic enforcement, tactical unit, canine (K-9) units, homeless outreach, crisis intervention, and community engagement/social media. Active reserve officer and cadet programs supplement the Department and further strengthen community involvement.The Department operates its own communications center, providing 24/7 emergency and non-emergency dispatch services for the Martinez Police Department and other agencies. The Department assigns its officers in Neighborhood Policing Areas to further engage the community.Under direction, plans, organizes, and directs the activities of personnel of a bureau or multiple bureaus within the Operations and Services divisions of the Martinez Police Department, and to do related work as required.City Government

The City of Martinez is a full-service city operating under a City Council/City Manager form of government. The City Council includes a Mayor, Vice-Mayor and three Council members elected to four-year, staggered terms. The City Clerk and the City Treasurer are elected positions, while the City Manager and City Attorney positions are appointed by the City Council. Martinez is a tight-knit community and it will be imperative for the Police Lieutenant to be actively engaged in the community to gain their trust, respect, and involvement. National Night Out Against Crime is highly valued by residents in Martinez.Key Challenges and Opportunities

As the county seat of Contra Costa County, many county social services and the Martinez Detention Facility are located in Martinez. This creates issues and potential problems that are endemic to county seats. The adjoining unincorporated areas of Martinez, as well as adjoining municipalities, have an impact of calls for service and it is imperative that the selected Police Captain have the ability to foster collaborative working relationships with our regional partners and stakeholders.In a competitive job market, the selected Police Captain must support the Chief of Police and work diligently to increase employee engagement, maintain officer retention, and enhance department recruitment efforts. The Department is heavily invested in community policing and community engagement programs.Background

As part of a departmental reorganization, the police department is seeking to fill a newly reclassified Police Captain position, which will oversee one of the department’s two major divisions: Operations or Administrative Services. This will provide balanced distribution of the management responsibilities, greater support and development of staff, more timely accomplishment of organizational improvement goals, and improve the overall level of service to the community. The captains will backfill each other for time off and on-call coverage, creating a more sustainable work-life balance. In the absence of the other captain, they may oversee both divisions. The Operations Division, which has the most assigned staff, will be supported by a lieutenant.This reorganization comes at a critical time, as the department continues to navigate workforce changes, meet evolving regulatory demands, and rebuild staffing levels. Strong leadership at the captain level is essential for guiding these efforts, developing staff, and ensuring the department remains responsive to community needs in the years ahead.Candidate Profile

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced law enforcement leader who has a proven track record of success in management and supervision. The ideal candidate will be well versed in building strong, collaborative relationships with department staff, city staff and the community. They will be skilled in developing goals and objectives for their division and mobilizing their staff to accomplish them, including crime reduction strategies. They will have a solid understanding of the needs and goals of the community, the department, and the city. They will ensure alignment of their division and resources to meet these needs and achieve the goals where applicable. The ideal candidate will be able to make impactful presentations, including representing the department in public forums. They will be knowledgeable about the details of operating a full-service police department while meeting all regulations and following best-practices.This candidate will demonstrate exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to mentor and develop employees and the supervisory teams. They will be experienced in leading and delivering key projects, with a strong vision for the future of the department and a creative, solution-oriented mindset. In addition, sharp investigative skills and the ability to conduct thorough research to inform thoughtful decisions are essential. They will have and maintain a strong working knowledge of the line level work so they can effectively lead, guide and mentor.The ideal candidate will be eager to meet the challenges and opportunities, guiding their division to success in the years ahead. They will have a track record of addressing longstanding challenges, including recruitment and retention. They will be a proactive leader, seeking opportunities to ensure employees and the community are prepared for the future.DEFINITION:

Under administrative direction from the Chief of Police, the Police Captain manages the activities of the Operations and Services Division of the Police Department; supervises the police lieutenants; participates as an integral member of the police management team in the overall departmental planning, research and work coordination; is the second in command and will act as the Chief of Police in his absence; and does related work as required.DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

Position of Police Captain is distinguished from the classifications of Police Commander and Police Lieutenant, in that the Captain is responsible for planning, organizing, managing and directing the activities of the Operations and Services Division and serving as the advisor to the Chief of Police on all matters involving the activities of the Police Department.The Police Captain assumes the highest level of responsibility, under the direction of the Chief, for the selection.The representative duties listed include essential and marginal functions that vary by position. Individuals with disabilities will be considered for placement into positions in this class based upon an assessment of the essential functions of the particular position. Works closely with the Chief of Police in the day-to-day administration of the department and participates in the continuous review of police services and the development of associated programs; directs the maintenance of records and preparation of local, state, and federal reports.Develops division goals and objectives; directs, coordinates and follows up on the implementation of division programs and procedures; supervises the activities of assigned personnel and day-to-day operations; coordinates activities of the different bureaus. Directs and assists in the training and development of subordinate personnel; inspects division personnel and equipment; assures timely processing of departmental projects, investigations, and citizen complaints; prepares recommendations for budget and personnel needs.Serves on multi-jurisdictional committees and establishes interagency relationships to facilitate interagency planning and cooperation; speaks before community groups on police department activities and policies and talks with the media on police related issues.Directs investigations or personally investigates citizen complaints regarding conduct of officers and takes appropriate action; coordinates activities of the division with other law enforcement agencies and other departments affecting the police function; personally conducts investigations and special studies requiring a high order of discretion.Minimum:

Graduation from a four-year college or university is desired, preferably with a major in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Police Science, or related field. An Associate's degree and POST Management Certificate are required. Considerable, progressively responsible experience in police work, including experience as a police commander or police lieutenant. Possession of an appropriate California operator's license.Desirable:

Thorough knowledge of management principles, theories, and practices of modern police work and laws governing custody of prisoners, search and seizure, laws of arrest and the rules of evidence. Knowledge of criminal investigation techniques and procedures including interrogation, fingerprinting, and photography; knowledge of modern police methods and procedures, including crime prevention; knowledge of criminal law including apprehension, arrest, custody, and prosecution of persons accused of misdemeanors and felonies; knowledge of police communication procedures; knowledge of forms and procedures used in reporting offenses to State and Federal law enforcement agencies; ability to schedule organize, and supervise the work of subordinates; ability to gather, assemble, analyze, and evaluate facts and evidence, to draw logical conclusions and to make proper recommendations; ability to obtain information through interview and interrogation; ability to demonstrate keen powers of observation and memory; ability to prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive written reports; ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with public officials, departmental employees, and the general public.SELECTION PROCESS:

Recruitment Dates:Open: 9/23/2024Final Filing Date: 10/11/2024Tentative Panel Interview Date: 10/21/2024Chief Interviews: 10/25/2024PHQ Due Date: 11/1/2024Background/Poly: NovemberPsych and Medical: DecemberTentative Start Date: December 16, 2024All applicants are required to complete and submit an application via NeoGov, including an unofficial transcripts supporting completion of the required education and training from an accredited institution, and related POST certification.All applicants who demonstrate meeting of the Minimum Qualifications, will be invited to participate in the professional interview panel designed to evaluate applicants' knowledge, skills and abilities in the following evaluation dimensions (100%):SupervisionManagementLeadershipCommunity EngagementProblem Solving/Decision MakingOrganizational SkillsProfessional DemeanorCommunication SkillsImportant note:

All applicants are requested to submit a written response attached to their application in memorandum format directed to the Chief of Police. The memo should be written in Arial, 12pt, single-spaced and attached as a PDF file.How will you, as a police captain, promote a culture of excellence, accountability and responsiveness in the department. Include your vision for department operations under your leadership, identify specific challenges and describe how you plan to address them, and describe how you will support the chief of police as the second-in-command. Be sure to address challenges with a growing and mostly inexperienced workforce, including the challenges of re-staffing long vacant special assignments.

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