Police Captain

City of Deerfield Beach; Deerfield Beach (FL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Deerfield Beach seeks a Police Captain to lead a major division and support executive leadership with strategy, policy, and performance. This senior sworn role oversees operations, budgeting, and staffing, directing Lieutenants and Sergeants while maintaining public safety and community partnerships.

As acting executive command when designated, you will oversee complex investigations, emergency responses, and department-wide initiatives, ensuring adherence to policies and ethical

Qualifications

• Senior sworn police leadership role requires directing a major division, bureau, or department-wide function.
• Strong budgeting, policy development, and strategic planning experience preferred.
• Must maintain professional conduct, integrity, and public trust, with effective risk management.

Responsibilities

• Direct a major division, bureau, or department-wide function and set priorities.
• Lead, supervise, and evaluate Lieutenants, Sergeants, and staff managers.
• Plan staffing, deployment, and resources to support police operations and respond to incidents.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Policy development

Incident command

Communication

De-escalation

Supervisory experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice or related field

Job description

The salary range listed for this position reflects the full range of the applicable salary schedule.

The starting salary for the selected candidate will be determined based on verification of the candidate’s relevant experience, education, certifications, qualifications, and other applicable factors.

This is a senior sworn command classification responsible for directing a major division, bureau, or Department-wide function and for assisting executive leadership with strategy, policy, accountability, resource management, and organizational performance. A Police Captain leads through subordinate commanders and supervisors, oversees complex operational and administrative responsibilities, represents the Department with City and community partners, and may assume higher command responsibilities when designated. Regardless of rank or assignment, the incumbent remains responsible for performing full police officer duties whenever called upon or operationally required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Perform the full duties and responsibilities of a sworn police officer whenever assigned or operationally required, regardless of rank, division, unit, or normal duty assignment.
• Patrol assigned areas; respond to calls for service; protect life and property; preserve the peace; enforce federal, state, and local laws and ordinances; and take lawful enforcement action when appropriate.
• Investigate criminal activity, suspicious circumstances, traffic crashes, and other incidents; interview victims, witnesses, and suspects; identify, collect, protect, and document evidence; and prepare complete and accurate reports.
• Detain, search, arrest, transport, and restrain persons when legally authorized, and use only the level of force objectively reasonable and consistent with law, policy, and training.
• Operate police vehicles in routine and emergency conditions, including emergency response and pursuit when authorized; direct and enforce traffic; and assist motorists and members of the public.
• Pursue fleeing suspects, conduct searches of persons, vehicles, buildings, and areas when legally authorized, and participate in rescue, evacuation, and emergency operations.
• Exercise sound independent judgment when determining reasonable suspicion, probable cause, enforcement options, officer-safety measures, and appropriate courses of action.
• Provide constitutional, unbiased, and professional police services; safeguard the rights and dignity of all persons; and use de-escalation and sound communication practices whenever feasible.
• Engage residents, businesses, visitors, and community partners; identify recurring public-safety or quality-of-life concerns; and participate in collaborative problem-solving and crime-prevention efforts.
• Testify in court, depositions, administrative proceedings, and other official forums; present facts clearly and accurately; and maintain the integrity of reports, evidence, and official records.
• Maintain proficiency with firearms, less-lethal systems, emergency vehicle operations, defensive tactics, communications equipment, information systems, and other assigned equipment.
• Respond during critical incidents, disasters, civil disturbances, severe weather, special events, and other emergencies, and perform duties within the Incident Command System or other established command structure as assigned.
• Comply with Department policies, City rules, lawful orders, training requirements, records requirements, safety practices, and applicable accreditation standards.
• Uphold rigorous standards of integrity, accountability, discipline, ethical conduct, professionalism, and public trust.
• Direct a major division, bureau, or Department-wide function; establish priorities, objectives, performance expectations, and accountability systems consistent with Department and City goals.
• Lead, supervise, and evaluate Lieutenants, Sergeants, professional staff managers, and other assigned personnel; develop command staff and ensure consistent supervisory practices throughout the assigned command.
• Plan and direct staffing, deployment, organizational structure, scheduling, equipment, facilities, technology, and other resources necessary to support effective police operations.
• Oversee significant criminal investigations, critical incidents, emergency operations, major events, civil disturbances, mutual-aid responses, and other complex operations; assume or assign command responsibilities as appropriate.
• Review significant uses of force, pursuits, complaints, injuries, vehicle crashes, risk events, internal administrative matters, operational failures, and other incidents requiring senior command oversight; ensure appropriate corrective action and organizational learning.
• Develop, review, and implement policies, procedures, strategic initiatives, operational plans, performance measures, accreditation requirements, and quality-assurance systems.
• Prepare, administer, and monitor assigned budgets; prioritize capital and operating needs; oversee procurement and contracts; and ensure responsible stewardship and accountability for public resources.
• Analyze crime, calls for service, workload, staffing, response, enforcement, community feedback, risk, and performance information to identify trends and direct data-informed improvements.
• Participate in recruitment, selection, promotion, succession planning, training, employee development, labor and employee-relations matters, discipline, and organizational change initiatives as assigned.
• Coordinate major initiatives with other Department commands, City leadership, Fire Rescue, criminal justice agencies, schools, businesses, community organizations, and regional partners.
• Represent the Department before City officials, community groups, professional organizations, media or public forums when authorized, and other governmental or law-enforcement entities.
• Serve as acting executive command officer when designated and provide recommendations to the Chief of Police and executive leadership on policy, operations, staffing, budget, risk, and organizational priorities.
• Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• All applicants for sworn law enforcement classifications must meet the following common minimum standards:
• Be at least nineteen (19) years of age at the time of appointment.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent recognized by the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC).
• Meet all minimum qualifications for employment or appointment as a Florida law enforcement officer under section 943.13, Florida Statutes, and applicable CJSTC rules, including requirements related to criminal history, military discharge, fingerprints, good moral character, background investigation, physical examination, controlled-substance screening, required affidavits, training, examination, and continuing training or education.
• Possess a valid Florida law enforcement officer certification issued through FDLE/CJSTC at the time of application, OR be eligible and able to obtain Florida law enforcement officer certification no later than the date of appointment. Applicants who are not currently Florida-certified must successfully complete the applicable CJSTC certification, equivalency-of-training, reinstatement, or other authorized process, including the State Officer Certification Examination when required, before appointment.
• Possess a valid driver license from any state equivalent to a Florida Class E license and obtain a valid Florida driver license within thirty (30) days of employment.
• Be legally eligible to possess and use firearms and other law-enforcement equipment required to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Successfully complete all City and Department selection, background, and post-offer requirements applicable to sworn law enforcement personnel.
• Maintain all licenses, certifications, qualifications, and mandatory retraining required for continued service as a Florida law enforcement officer.

CLASSIFICATION SPECIFIC MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible full-time sworn law enforcement experience, including at least five (5) years of supervisory or command experience and at least two (2) years at the rank of Lieutenant or a substantially equivalent command-level classification.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, public administration, organizational leadership, management, or a related field; graduate education is desirable.
• Completion of a recognized command or executive-level law-enforcement leadership program.
• Demonstrated experience directing a major patrol, investigative, support-services, professional-standards, or comparable law-enforcement division.
• Advanced experience in budgeting, policy development, accreditation, emergency management, organizational change, strategic planning, or labor/employee relations.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, constitutional principles, court decisions, ordinances, and rules applicable to law enforcement.
• Knowledge of modern policing principles and practices, criminal investigation, arrest and search procedures, evidence handling, report writing, traffic enforcement, emergency response, officer safety, and community policing.
• Knowledge of Department and City policies, procedures, rules, and organizational expectations applicable to assigned work.
• Ability to observe, assess, and analyze rapidly changing situations; identify lawful options; make sound decisions under stress; and clearly articulate the factual and legal basis for actions taken.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, orally and in writing, with persons from diverse backgrounds and in routine, emotional, hostile, or emergency circumstances.
• Ability to prepare, review, and maintain accurate reports, records, electronic documentation, and case information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, City personnel, criminal justice partners, community members, elected and appointed officials, and the public.
• Ability to operate police vehicles, radios, computers, body-worn camera systems, mobile technology, and other law-enforcement equipment and software.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, follow lawful orders, accept accountability, maintain confidentiality, and adapt to changing operational priorities.
• Skill in conflict resolution, de-escalation, interpersonal communication, customer service, and problem-solving.
• Ability to demonstrate conduct consistent with the City and Department mission, vision, values, ethics requirements, and standards of professional conduct.
• Comprehensive knowledge of law-enforcement administration, strategic leadership, organizational management, command accountability, policy development, and contemporary policing practices.
• Knowledge of public-sector budgeting, procurement, personnel management, labor and employee relations, risk management, accreditation, emergency management, and intergovernmental coordination.
• Ability to lead through multiple supervisory levels, establish organizational priorities, manage complex change, evaluate performance, and make high-consequence decisions with limited information and time.
• Ability to communicate effectively with executive leadership, elected and appointed officials, criminal justice partners, community stakeholders, employees, and the public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement. The work requires frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, climbing, and operating a motor vehicle. The employee must be able to physically respond to emergency situations and may be required to run, pursue, restrain, apprehend, or assist in controlling individuals; enter or exit vehicles quickly; climb stairs, fences, or other obstacles; and work in confined or uneven areas. The employee may be required to lift, carry, push, pull, drag, or otherwise move objects or persons, including under emergency conditions. The work may require the use of physical force consistent with applicable law, Department policy, and training. The employee must possess the physical coordination, agility, strength, balance, and endurance necessary to safely perform essential law-enforcement functions. The work may require wearing a duty uniform, body armor, duty equipment, and other protective equipment for extended periods.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Unavoidable hazards refer to job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though reasonable precautions have been taken. Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in a variety of environments and under conditions that may be unpredictable and potentially hazardous. The employee may be exposed to inclement weather, extreme temperatures, traffic, loud or disruptive noises, hazardous substances, bodily fluids, communicable diseases, weapons, hostile or aggressive individuals, physical confrontations, and other potentially dangerous situations. Work may be performed at crime scenes, traffic-crash scenes, residences, businesses, public facilities, roadways, parks, waterways, special events, and other locations throughout the City or outside the City when authorized.

WORK HOURS

Varies. The position may be required to work days, nights, weekends, holidays, extended shifts, special events, emergency activations, call-back assignments, and other schedules necessary to meet the operational needs of the City and Department.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE

The City of Deerfield Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The City provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities in accordance with applicable law. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss accommodation needs through the appropriate City process.

ESSENTIAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS

It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures, training, and safe work practices; properly use and maintain required personal protective equipment; and promptly report unsafe conditions, work practices, injuries, or illnesses. Employees assigned supervisory responsibilities are responsible for enforcing applicable safety rules and regulations, promoting safe work practices, ensuring required training is completed, and taking reasonable action to maintain a safe work environment.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

During emergency conditions, all City employees are considered emergency service workers and may be required to report for duty or remain on duty during disasters, hurricanes, civil emergencies, critical incidents, or other emergency conditions. Sworn personnel may be assigned any lawful emergency service or law-enforcement duty consistent with operational needs.

The City of Deerfield Beach values the service veterans and their family members have given to our country and supports the hiring of returning service members and military spouses.