Deputy Police Chief

Town of Hamden; Hamden (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Town of Hamden seeks a Deputy Police Chief to lead planning, directing, and reviewing Hamden Police Department operations. This role oversees patrols, investigations, records, and training, ensuring protection of life and property and adherence to CT laws and town ordinances.

The incumbent provides strategic leadership, manages the departmental budget, and ensures ethical conduct, accountability, and community trust. Strong supervision and organizational skills are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in law enforcement, police administration, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Eight (8) years of experience as a police officer, including four (4) years of progressively responsible supervisory/management experience.
• Must possess POSTC certification or ability to obtain within six months.
• Must possess valid Connecticut driver’s license or obtain within 90 days if relocating to CT.
• Candidate must pass background, medical, psychological, and polygraph exams, and be a U.S. citizen.

Responsibilities

• Plan and direct departmental activities including personnel training and management.
• Oversee patrols, investigations, records, and arrest operations.
• Manage departmental budget, grants, and capital funds.
• Provide leadership, ethical governance, and community safety initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and agency rules.

Skills

Leadership

Public safety knowledge

Budget management

Communication skills

Decision making under pressure

Ethical conduct

Education

Bachelor’s degree in law enforcement or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

Under the general management of the Chief of Police, the Deputy Police Chief is a non-bargaining-unit position responsible for planning, directing, and reviewing the activities and operations of the Hamden Police Department. The Deputy Police Chief is responsible for the overall protection of life and property in the Town of Hamden through the supervision of police functions. The Deputy Police Chief provides leadership and guidance in the preservation of the public peace, prevention of crime, apprehension of offenders, and regulation of traffic in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut and the ordinances of the Town of Hamden.

Plans and directs departmental activities, including personnel training and management, patrol of public areas, arrest of law violators, investigation of suspected violations of law, and maintenance of police records. Assigns and supervises the duties and activities of subordinates and initiates disciplinary action as required. Responsible for the fiscal management of the Hamden Police Department, including preparation of the annual departmental operating budget, administration of departmental grants, management of departmental capital funds, and oversight of related departmental projects. The Deputy Police Chief functions with a high degree of independence and exercises sound professional judgment. Demonstrates effective planning and organizational skills in establishing and managing priorities, programs, and staff. Maintains ethical conduct, community stewardship, individual initiative, and responsive service. Demonstrates effective performance through clear and concise communication, collaboration, appropriate allocation and utilization of resources, sound decision-making, and personal accountability and responsibility. Performs related duties as required.

Note: The above description is illustrative of the tasks and responsibilities associated with the position and is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of every task or responsibility. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of the position.

Considerable knowledge of laws and government, including applicable laws, penal codes, court procedures, legal precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. Considerable knowledge of public safety and security principles, rules, and regulations for the protection of people, data, and property, including the appropriate use of weapons and force. Comprehensive working knowledge of current operational principles and practices of modern police administration. Considerable computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel. Considerable oral, written, public presentation, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to develop and deliver police services that provide equal treatment and protection and demonstrate sensitivity to all sectors of the community, regardless of culture, race, or appearance. Ability to exercise patience and firmness in managing the department, providing services to the public, and resolving community disputes, with the willingness and ability to make difficult decisions. Ability to pursue greater racial and gender diversity to support a more representative department.

Physical, Mental Exertion, and Environmental Conditions: Administrative work is performed in an office setting subject to continuous interruptions. The position involves unusual stress associated with serving as Deputy Police Chief in a rapidly changing social environment. The incumbent must be able to work under stress caused by demanding deadlines, changing priorities, and evolving conditions. The position may require working in adverse weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, or snow. There may be exposure to life-threatening situations during police investigations, requiring appropriate precautionary measures.

Bachelor’s degree in law enforcement, police administration, or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions listed below. Eight (8) years of experience as a police officer, including four (4) years of progressively responsible supervisory and management experience at the rank of Sergeant or higher.

Licenses and Certifications: Must possess applicable police certification from the Connecticut Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POSTC), or the ability to obtain such certification within six (6) months of hire. Must possess a current, valid Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license at the time of appointment. A candidate relocating to Connecticut from another state must obtain a valid Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license within ninety (90) days of relocating to Connecticut.

Special Qualifications: Must successfully pass a background investigation, medical examination, psychological evaluation, drug screening, and polygraph examination. Must be a United States citizen.