Police Chief

Pay Range: $225,000+ depending on education and experience

This position is non-merit and serves at the pleasure of the appointing authority

DeKalb County seeks an experienced and strategic leader to address complex law enforcement related challenges effectively. As the highest-ranking sworn officer, the ideal candidate will possess considerable command experience with an educational background that promotes critical thinking and the ability to guide a department toward achieving its objectives. Strong professional judgment, excellent communication skills, and adaptability are essential for this role.

The Chief of Police will advise county leadership on significant issues regarding public safety, policy management, and community relations. This position serves the public by fostering safe and healthy environments through proactive public education and robust community programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage a budget of approximately $145M, allocating resources to ensure efficient and effective operations.
• Develop and implement strategies to meet current and future needs of Police Services and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of department activities.
• Manage, direct, and evaluate assigned staff and ensure employees have the necessary resources.
• Oversee the procurement, maintenance, and updating of police equipment, technology, and vehicles.
• Organize, prioritize, and assign work regarding police programs and enforcement activities to meet operational objectives.
• Develop and implement strategies to prevent crime and reduce occurrence rate in community. 
• Ensure departmental compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
• Build and maintain a positive public image for department while fostering trust and confidence in law enforcement. 
• Keep County administrators and elected officials informed on complex and sensitive enforcement issues. 

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned. 

Supervises, directs, and evaluates assigned staff; develops and oversees employee work schedules to ensure adequate coverage and control; compiles and reviews timesheets; approves/processes employee concerns and problems and counsels or disciplines as appropriate; assists with or completes employee performance appraisals; directs work; acts as a liaison between employees and County management; and trains staff in operations, policies, and procedures. 

Organizes, prioritizes, and assigns work; prioritizes and schedules work activities in order to meet objectives; ensures that subordinates have the proper resources needed to complete the assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; consults with assigned staff to assist with complex/problem situations and provide technical expertise; provides progress and activity reports to County management; and revises procedure manuals as appropriate. 

Recommends selection, promotion, discharge, and other appropriate personnel actions; and makes recommendations to the County Manager for appointment, promotion, and dismissal of officers and civilian personnel. 

Ensures departmental compliance with all applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures; ensures adherence to established safety procedures; monitors work environment and use of safety equipment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals; and initiates any actions necessary to correct deviations or violations. 

Ensures proper enforcement of all applicable codes, ordinances, laws and regulations (both traffic and criminal) in order to protect life and property, prevent crime, and promote security.

Consults with County administration, Chief Executive Officer, County board members, and other officials as needed to review department operations/activities, review/resolve problems, receive advice/direction, and provide recommendations; reports all major incidents to County administration; and makes presentations to County board. 

Develops long and short term goals, plans, and objectives for the department; and researches, assesses and meets current and future community law enforcement needs through workforce deployment, equipment use, and community relations programs. 

Develops, implements, and updates department policies and procedures; formulates and develops work methods and practices, policies, standard operating procedures, training programs, and general orders; monitors implementation of departmental rules and regulations; updates departmental guidelines according to federal, state, or local legislation; and oversees training programs. 

Develops and implements departmental budget; monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budget; coordinates with division staff members regarding division budgets; prepares projected capital expenditure requests; and approves expenditures in compliance with approved budget. 

Oversees, directs, assigns or conducts criminal investigations; provides consultation and professional or technical expertise on major investigations; participates in court activities; and testifies in judicial proceedings, as needed. 

Responds to all major/critical incidents; and requests and directs additional emergency personnel, other divisions, departments, outside agencies, or others as needed. 

Creates/maintains positive public relations with the general public and represents the County at various functions; attends County board meetings and various other meetings; attends County ceremonies, dedications, and other events; makes speeches or presentations to schools, civic groups, and community organizations; and provides education and information to the public on laws, law enforcement, crime prevention, and related issues. 

Performs other department administrative functions; drafts official correspondence; generates required reports; approves all departmental training; reviews leave requests and accruals; reviews/approves all performance ratings; approves all department travel; reviews/distributes case laws; and makes recommendations regarding traffic, streets, or other issues. 

Compiles and/or monitors various administrative and/or statistical data; performs research; makes applicable calculations; analyzes data and identifies trends; and prepares/generates reports and maintains records. 

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable policies, procedures, regulations, codes, and criminal/civil case law; maintains an awareness of new technology, products, trends, and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; and attends workshops, seminars, and training sessions as appropriate. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration or related field (Master’s degree preferred); twelve years of progressively responsible experience in the field, with five years of senior management experience for a comparably sized organization or as a Police Chief for a smaller organization; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.  

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license; must possess or obtain Basic and Executive Training Law Enforcement certifications within 18 months in the classification; may be required to obtain and maintain additional certifications as deemed necessary.