POLICE COMMANDER

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The Police Commander is responsible for managing, directing, administering, planning, supervising, and

reviewing the activities of all personnel assigned to a major bureau, which includes field operations, special

operations, or agency support functions. This position supervises a large staff of sworn and/or civilian personnel

primarily through subordinate supervisors. The Police Commander participates in the preparation of the

department budget by recommending personnel and capital needs for assigned bureau. This position directs or

personally investigating citizen complaints about police personnel conduct and services and interacts with

Community organizations by representing the Police Department on various committees and boards. Coordinates

activities with other law enforcement agencies and participates in various Community wide projects and/or

programs. The Police Commander recommends comprehensive goals and objectives and is responsible for the

implementation and results achieved. This position requires considerable executive responsibility for making

decisions regarding actions to be taken, independent judgment in the interpretation of policies and procedures, as

well as application of laws and ordinances. The Police Commander provides highly complex staff assistance to

the Chief of Police or designee. Supervision is received from the Assistant Police Chief who confers with the

Police Commander on unusual problems and reviews work through observation of results and evaluation of

reports. The Police Commander is distinguished from the Police Lieutenant class by the former’s total command

responsibility in terms of management, supervision, responsibility, decision-making, and planning of the

operations of the bureau and managerial oversight. The Police Commander may assume the duties and

responsibilities of the same rank within each of the bureaus of the department and must be able to make sound

decisions and judgements in the best interest of the Community and department in the absence of the Chief of

Police and/or the Assistant Chief of Police. The duties of this position are performed in both a general office

environment and an outdoor environment that may include exposure to adverse weather conditions and potential

personal danger.