Director of Crime Prevention

City of Lawrence; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Public retirement system (INRPS)

Paid holidays/vacation/sick time

Job summary

The City of Lawrence seeks a Director of Crime Prevention to lead community safety strategies and crime reduction initiatives. You will collaborate with law enforcement, neighborhoods, and businesses to identify trends and implement proactive programs.

Required qualifications include a bachelor’s degree and 2+ years in related fields, with preferred experience in crime data analysis and public outreach. Ability to work evenings and weekends is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and at least two years in marketing, public relations or related field.
• Experience analyzing crime incident reports and collating statistics.
• Spanish language skills welcomed but not required.
• Background check and pre-employment drug screening required.

Responsibilities

• Handle public inquiries about crime for a geographic region and disseminate statistics.
• Develop crime trend logistics using GIS and related data platforms.
• Organize and participate in community events and departmental initiatives.
• Attend block watch and crime prevention meetings and liaise with city council.
• Collaborate with officers and partners to implement prevention programs.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and recommend improvements.
• Provide follow-up to Neighborhood Crime Watch groups; address inquiries.
• Be flexible to work some nights, weekends and holidays.

Skills

Judgment & decision making

Interpersonal relationships

Computer skills

Communication

Coordination of work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in marketing/public relations/communications/education/criminal justice/social sciences or related field

Job description

The Director of Crime Prevention plays a critical role in developing and implementing strategies to reduce crime rates and improve community safety and engagement. They work closely with law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and local businesses to identify and address crime trends and develop proactive initiatives to prevent criminal activities.

Essential Job Functions

• Handle public inquiries concerning crime for a geographic region. Collect data and statistics about specific programs to disseminate crime statistics to residents and businesses
• Develop and maintain crime trend logistics through the geographic information system.
• Observe and record events accurately and completely.
• Develop brochures, posters, slides and other informational material. Organizes special City of Lawrence Police Department functions such as National Night Out, Community Shred-it Day, and help organize and participate in Departmental initiatives.
• Attend community block watch meetings, community crime prevention meetings, and selected city council meetings.
• Maintain files of active block clubs, verification of status of block clubs through phone contact and correspondence.
• Coordinate with officers for effective implementation of programs.
• Work with multi-housing communities with Crime Free program.
• Evaluate effectiveness of crime prevention programs and initiatives and make recommendations for improvements.
• Provide constant follow-up to maintain established Neighborhood Crime Watch groups on active status.
• Work with officers that have complaints regarding community and help find solutions.
• Tailor programs to be flexible to meet specific needs of an audience.
• Work with agencies outside City of Lawrence.
• Work with Prosecutor’s office and citizens in neighborhoods to organize Court Watch and submit Neighborhood Impact Statement when necessary.
• Conduct research analysis to identify crime trends and patterns within the community.
• Performs other duties as directed.
• Must be flexible to work some nights, weekends, and holidays for call out during non-traditional hours.

Performance Standards

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the organization and the community through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s Values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Judgment and Decision Making - Uses logic and reasoning to analyze, understand, and evaluate complex situations. Identifies the strengths and weaknesses of alternative approaches or solutions to a situation. Exercises appropriate judgment in establishing priorities.
• Interpersonal Relationships - Develops and maintains cooperative and professional relationships with employees at all levels, representatives from various departments, and outside agencies. Effectively responds to and resolves complex inquiries and disputes.
• Computer Skills - Utilization of modern office technology, including but not limited to word processing, spreadsheet, and related software with reasonable speed and accuracy, as it is related to the position.
• Communication - Excellent ability to listen and understand information presented verbally and in writing. Ability to handle a variety of issues with tact and diplomacy and in a confidential manner.
• Coordination of Work - Ability to plan and organize a daily work routine and establish priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

• Required to travel extensively around the City of Lawrence, including high crime areas.
• Must handle and respond to upset, angry, hostile and/or verbally aggressive citizens by telephone and in-person.
• Required to stand for long periods of time during group presentations.

Education and Experience

• Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in marketing, public relations, communications, education, criminal justice, social sciences or a related field and a minimum of two years of experience in marketing, and public relations and/or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the duties of this position.
• Desired Qualifications: Experience analyzing crime incident reports, collating crime statistics and developing profiles. Experience assessing crime trends, determining methods of criminal operation and preparing reports for presentations to individuals and groups, including community leaders, elected officials and the media. Accomplishments in developing displays, setting up and staffing booths. Developing and providing public service announcements for the media on crime prevention programs. Write, speak and read Spanish welcomed but not required.

Additional Requirements

• Valid State of Indiana driver’s license
• Requires a background investigation to include a local, state, and federal criminal history check, sex offender registry. Requires satisfactory results from pre-employment drug screening.
• Full-time, civilian, exempt position.
• Indiana Public Retirement System (INRPS) contribution and 427(b) retirement option
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary policies.
• Paid holidays, earn accrued vacation and sick time.

Note: This job description provides a general overview of the responsibilities and qualifications for the Director of Crime Prevention role within the Lawrence Police Department. The specific duties may vary based on the municipality's needs, structure, and existing processes.

The City of Lawrence is an equal opportunity employer.

Contact us

9001 East 59th Street
Lawrence, IN 46216
Phone: [phone]
Staff Directory
Utilities: [phone]