Chief of Police

Primary Purpose:

Direct and manage the district police department. Coordinate daily operations of the department to provide a safe environment for students and staff and coordinate efforts with other law enforcement officers assigned to the school district by the city or cou n ty. Ensure enforcement of all federal , state, and local laws and ordinances.

Education/Certification:

Master’s Degree or eight (8) years of experience as a licensed police officer

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) approved academy graduate

Active Peace Officer License and Advance Peace Officer Certification in good standing from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE).

SRO training completed before employment or equivalent advanced training by the National Association of School Resources Officers

Meet minimal requirement for TCOLE SRO Certification Renewal annually.

Valid Texas driver’s license and good driving record. Meet and maintain liability coverage and eligibility.

Bilingual preferred

Candidate must have satisfactory outcome of fingerprinting background check. Non-refundable fee (approximately $50) paid by employee.

Experience/Knowledge/Skills:

• Knowledge of overall operations of a police department
• Knowledge of criminal invest iga tions, police report writing, and criminal law
• Ability to manage budget and personnel
• Training and ability to subdue offenders, including the use of firearms and ha ndcuffs
• Bondable as required by Texas Educatio n Code §37.081(h)
• Strong public relations , organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of lo ca l and state laws
• Knowledge of local government administrative structure, policies, and administrative procedures
• Ability to work with students, parents, faculty, and co mmunity
• Strong o rganizational , communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to problem-solve, think critically, and manage conflict under stress of time constraints and emotional witnesses/victims
• Ability to collaborate, coordinate and work as a t eam member with other ISO leaders
• Five years of law enforcement experience in supervisory or command capacity
• Prior service as a police chief strongly preferred
• Demonstrated community activities preferred
• Past officer trainer experience preferred

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

(The following statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned and should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions that may be assigned or skills that may be required.)

• Direct the daily operations of the district police department to ensure effective law enforcement.
• Coordinate and collaborate enforcement activities with other department directors and campus principals and work cooperatively to develop and implement preventative policing, police programs, gang management plans, and other safety programs.
• Investigate and make recommendations on all complaints and accusations made against district police officers or staff.

Professionalism:

The Educators' Code of Ethics is set forth in Texas Administrative Code to provide rules for standard practices and ethical conduct toward students, professional colleagues, school officials, parents, and members of the community.

• Rule §247.1 Purpose and Scope; Definitions
• Rule §247.2 Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators

Organizational Management:

The Chief of Police leads the organizational management activities such as the following:

• Develop and present in-service training for department and DVISD employees as appropriate.
• Assist with the preparation of required department reports and requests

Law Enforcement:

The Chief of Police works with professional law enforcement activities such as the following:

• Ensure enforcement of all laws and ordinances within the scope of board policy and the jurisdiction of the district.
• Oversee investigation of criminal activities that occur within the district's jurisdiction and support other agencies conducting investigations.
• Serve as district liaison to state and local law enforcement agencies and juvenile authorities and represent the district on assigned committees and task forces.

Safety:

The Chief of Police ensures district safety activities such as the following:

• Collaborate with district and campus staff who oversee safety protocols.
• Develop department safety procedures including procedures for safe handling and use of firearms.
• Patrol district property to protect all students, staff, and visitors from physical harm and prevent property loss due to theft or vandalism.
• Follow the district Emergency Response Guide and Emergency Operations Procedures (EOP).

Personnel Management:

The Chief of Police manages personnel activities such as the following:

• Select, train, supervise, and evaluate staff and make sound recommendations relative to assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal.
• Coordinate all HR functions with the HR director and follow/align practices with existing HR procedures and regulations.
• Collaborate, communicate, and coordinate with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of HR.
• Evaluate the job performance of employees to ensure effectiveness.
• Prepare, review, and revise police department job descriptions.

Administration:

The Chief of Police provides leadership in district safety activities such as the following:

• Maintain secured property room for storage of weapons and contraband confiscated on district property.
• Compile and administer department budget based on documented needs and ensure that operations are cost-effective and funds are managed wisely.
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents as required.

Police Operations Management:

The Chief of Police manages district police operations activities such as the following:

• Establish standards for the department based on accepted practices in each specific area of operation.
• Meet with campus and central office administration on security, safety and law enforcement matters.
• Serve as liaison between Department and Administration, law enforcement agencies and community.
• Work with command staff to solve day-to-day problems within the department.
• Coordinate police activities with campus activities and campus/department activities.
• Respond to specific requests from other agencies or departments and organize department resources to meet requests.

Communication and Community Relations:

The Chief of Police promotes communication and community relations activities such as the following:

• Demonstrate awareness of district and community needs and initiate activities to meet identified needs.
• Present a positive image of the department at all times, being positive and supportive of its staff in all communications and interactions both internally and externally.
• Keep the superintendent abreast of legal issues and department activities.
• Communicate, collaborate and work with other area law enforcement officials. Specifically, meet regularly with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office or Austin Chief of Police.
• Communicate, Coordinate & Collaborate with the superintendent, his/her designee, executive staff, and campus principals regularly.

Qualities of an effective Chief of Police:

The Chief of Police exhibits qualities such as the following:

• Demonstrates a high level of personal integrity, a collaborative leadership style, and high ethical standards.
• Keep informed of and comply with state, district, and campus policies affecting schools, including daily attendance, punctuality, and confidentiality.
• Comply with the Texas Educator's Code of Ethics Teamwork, Coordination, Collaboration, and District Procedures
• Follow all district procedures, regulations, and policies.
• Collaborate, coordinate, and work as a team with all other administrators to ensure that Police department policies, procedures, and general orders are in line with other department and district policies, procedures and regulations.
• Follow all safety and security procedures.
• Work effectively within a team.

Additional Duties:

Performs any other duties assigned by the Superintendent pursuant to Board policy.

• Complete other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervise, evaluate and recommend the hiring and firing of police officers and department staff under your jurisdiction.

Equipment:

Systems and other security equipment, fire extinguisher, and computer, computer software programs and peripherals, scanner, printer, copier, fax and other equipment applicable to position

Working Conditions:

Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:

• Maintain emotional control under s tress; prolonged hours; on call 24 hours a day.
• Prolonged sitting and standing
• Strenuous walking, climbing and running; frequent keyboarding and use of mouse; frequent driving
• Moderate lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds)
• Work inside and outside (moderate exposure to sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather).
• Frequent district wide travel
• May be exposed to adverse and hazardous working conditions, including violent an d armed confrontations in extreme cases.
• Ability to control s udd en violent or extreme physical acts of others and exhibit rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.
• Physical fitness tests are requir ed quarterly.
• May involv e routine exposure to blood or bod ily fluids.
• Regular attendance is required for this position.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.