Job Announcement: Chief of Police, York Police Department

Job Announcement: Chief of Police, York Police Department

City of York
607 2nd Avenue
City of York, Alabama 36925

Salary: $50,000 - $60,000 per year

Job Type - Full-time

Full Job Description

The City of York is seeking an experienced, transformational leader to serve as its next Chief of Police for the York Police Department (YPD). The Chief of Police is responsible for the oversight and administrative management of the department’s daily operations and for achieving the department’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives in alignment with the vision, goals and priorities of the City’s elected leadership and broader community.

The individual in this role will be expected to develop strong, trusting, and collaborative relationships within the City of York community; promote a robust culture of inclusivity and service orientation among YPD’s commissioned, non-commissioned, and civilian staff; cultivate partnerships with other regional public safety agencies; and work closely with the City Council, Mayor, City Administrator, and other City directors to ensure equitable and outstanding service to the community we serve.

The next Chief of Police must embrace two critical departmental priorities to effectively lead the YPD:

Learn from and listen to the community we serve and create lasting and trusting relationships with the residents, business owners and other community members of the city; and

Get to know the department and the professional, dedicated staff that make up YPD and develop trust and a vision that builds on the strengths of the department policies, practices, and priorities.

Department Overview

The York Police Department works with the public to ensure safety, dignity, and respect for all. By constantly improving its own practices and educating the community, the Department both prevents and pursues crime.

Our Mission: To provide superior services that support a safe, inviting, healthy environment for our residents, businesses, and guests. All potential team members are evaluated on the following values:

Caring –We support the diverse community we serve with compassion, empathy, and kindness. Professional – We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards and act with integrity and transparency. We are respectful and courteous with all.
Responsive – We are timely and effective in the delivery of great customer service. We continually strive to find innovative ways to improve.

The City of York a is an equal opportunity employer and strives to employ a diverse workforce reflective of the community it serves. Qualified applicants with multicultural experience and/or backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

We acknowledge the need for change. We are committed to continued transformation to ensure that all members of our community enjoy a safe and secure environment in the City of York.

Community Engagement
Community engagement is critical to the success of the permanent police chief; they must be engaged, visible and invested in the community. The next chief must lead by example and set expectations that officers will be visible in neighborhoods and accessible to the community.

Commitment to communication with the community, all levels of the department and the broader city organization, focused articulating the mission and values of the police department, ensuring that the feedback loop is closed with the community and clear on why decisions are made.

Key qualities needed in the permanent chief include honesty, integrity, transparency, empathy, and fairness; build trust in the community and department.

Understand how under-resourced communities have limited opportunities; identify and prevent how over policing can have a negative affect and work to increase opportunities for residents where possible.

A forward-thinking individual is needed, who is focused on implementing best practices from around the State and region.

Someone who is committed to officers’ mental and emotional health, as well as willing to hold themselves and officers accountable to high standards.

Focus on training, ensuring all officers are well-versed in de-escalation tools, anti-bias, cultural competence; provide officers with tools to handle behavioral and mental health issues, including social workers to respond to people in crisis.

Property crimes are affecting all neighborhoods and communities in York. The next chief must collaborate with the community to address these crimes, and increase the perception of personal safety in York, as well as educate residents and businesses on how such crimes can be prevented.

Bring the department back to full staffing when revenues return to pre-pandemic levels and create a pipeline system to anticipate vacancies, both commissioned and non-commissioned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will possess:

Management experience. Previous experience in public safety management and organization; strong understanding of performance management for all levels of the organization; skilled at increasing policing effectiveness, including data driven and modern problem-solving practices; fiscally responsible, with a thorough understanding of budgeting in a police department. A history of making significant improvements in a police agency.

A history of effective community engagement and collaboration. Experience using strategies that promote trust, reflect community values, and enhance public safety such as community policing. A proven ability to partner with community groups (to include those historically underrepresented), businesses and nonprofits, to collaboratively address public safety needs. A demonstrated commitment to transparency and accountability.

Proven ability to develop and implement evidence-based strategies to increase public
safety. Broad knowledge of modern police strategies, policies, training, and technologies. Up to date with findings from research and constantly seeking new ideas, strategies, and evaluation of new approaches, with a focus on policies and practices relating to de-escalation, conflict resolution and implicit bias. Sophisticated about use of crime and intelligence analysis.

Strong communications, speaking, and listening skills. Proven ability to communicate with the public and with police department employees. Substantial experience as a public speaker. Ability to share the vision of a future that attracts and inspires police department employees and engenders a sense of hope and perceptions of safety in the broader community.

A record of productive employee relations. The ability to collaborate well with a unionized workforce and create a fair culture that values officer and civilian input. Having the ability to positively interface with employees, explaining the basis of decisions; recognizing the importance of procedural justice within the police organization; a history of listening to employees and crafting a vision that inspires actions consistent with the vision and values of the department and City.

A demonstrated commitment to officer well-being. The ability to promote and support professional development as well as wellness and safety at all levels of the police department. A history of promoting diverse candidates and creating and maintaining a fair and respectful workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. An understanding of diversity that encompasses race, gender, language, sexual orientation, religion, life experience, and other cultural backgrounds.

Crisis and emergency management experience. Demonstrated understanding of the importance of leadership, decision-making and full transparency when situations arise that create public concern; skilled at overseeing preparations for and responses to natural or civil disasters, major events, and demonstrations and protests; experienced in managing incidents from response to recovery and developing resilience.

Education, Experience and Other Requirements

An equivalent combination to: An associate degree in police or social sciences, criminal justice, public administration, business administration, organizational leadership or another area closely aligned with the duties of the position and three years increasingly responsible police service experience in a qualified federal, state, or local agency.

Successful completion of the Basic Police academy or equivalent academy training that meets Alabama standards. A valid Alabama driver’s license, First Aid/CPR certification, and the legal ability to possess and carry a firearm in accordance with Alabama State law.

Residence

It is preferred that the Chief of Police reside in Sumter County, Alabama, but must live within a 40-mile radius of York, Alabama.

Application Process

To be considered for this challenging and rewarding career opportunity, please apply at York City Hall, 607 2nd Avenue, York, Alabama 36925, or call (205)-392-5231 for an application.

Application materials must be received no later than January 26, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.

Questions about the position may be directed to: Willie Lake, Mayor, City of York via email: Yorkcityof@yahoo.com or phone: 205-736-5200

Initial interviews are anticipated to take place during the week of January 29, 2024, with final interviews tentatively scheduled during the week of February 6, 2024, if needed.

City of York, Alabama
Summary of Benefits for Non-Represented Employees:

Benefits are provided as per City ordinance and policy.

PAID LEAVE

Sick leave: Sick leave accrues at the rate of 4 hours per pay period (pro-rated for part-time employees.)

Vacation: After six months continuous employment, six (6) days of vacation is awarded and then accrues at the rate of 4 hours each pay period (pro-rated for part-time employees). Additional vacation days are awarded annually after 3 years through 15 years of service, to a maximum accumulation of 384 hours.

Holidays: The City of York recognizes ten (10) holidays and two (2) floating or "personal" holidays each calendar year.

Hours of Work: The normal work week is forty-two hours, Monday through Sunday. Flexible work schedules may be available, based upon business necessity.

Pay Days: Weekly. Direct deposit of pay is available.

Health Insurance, State of Alabama Retirement System