Police Captain

Huntington Park; Huntington Park (CA); On-site; USD 12,000 - 14,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Huntington Park is seeking a hands-on Police Captain to lead the Police Department in delivering high-caliber law enforcement services to residents and businesses. The role emphasizes community engagement, leadership, and strategic planning under the Chief of Police.

Responsibilities include directing divisions, ensuring policy adherence, budgeting, and coordinating with other city departments to achieve policing goals while maintaining public trust and safety.

Qualifications

• Education requirement: Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration, or closely related field.
• Experience: at least eight (8) years in a governmental general law enforcement agency, with at least four (4) years in a supervisory capacity, including two (2) years at the rank of Police Lieutenant or higher.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates the activities of assigned divisions of the Police Department.
• Assists the Police Chief in the development, implementation, and administration of department goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Ensures enforcement of laws and protection of life and property; maintains public order.
• Directs and controls functions of assigned divisions; supervises subordinates.
• Assists in budget development and administration; participates in performance audits.
• Cooperates with other agencies and maintains professional standards and community trust.

Skills

Leadership

Policy development

Interpersonal skills

Budgeting

Supervision

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice or related field

Job description

POLICE CAPTAIN

Monthly Salary: $11,727 - $14,396

*Salary Under Review*

Filing Deadline: Thursday, October 1, 2026, 5:00 PM

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The City of Huntington Park is seeking a hands-on, forward-thinking Police Captain to help lead the Police Department in meeting its goals and providing "best-in-class" law enforcement services to the residents and businesses of the City. The desired candidate will bring proven leadership experience, excellent interpersonal skills, and a commitment to service and community engagement. The ideal candidate will recognize the successes made in community engagement, understand the value of an engaged community, and seek out new and creative ways to engage with both the residents and businesses that call Huntington Park home.

Under general supervision of the Chief of Police, maintains command authority over certain division(s) and unit(s) of the Police Department, as designated by the Chief of Police. Acts as second-in-command to the Chief of Police. Assists in the planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and coordinating the activities and personnel in the designated areas of responsibility, in the enforcement of laws, and the prevention of crime; and performs related administrative and management level work as required.

Essential functions may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. This job announcement does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer.

• Plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates the activities of assigned divisions of the Police Department.
• Assures, uniform, efficient, and consistent application of City and Police Department policies and procedures.
• Assist in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for the Police Department.
• Assumes command of the Police Department in the absence of the Chief of Police;
• Coordinates Police Department activities and policing priorities with other Citydepartments, divisions, and outside agencies
• Drives the overall mission and policing priorities throughout the Police Department;
• Represents the Police Department with pride,loyalty,dedication,and professionalism;
• Assists the Police Chief in the development, implementation, and administration of department goals, objectives, policies, and procedures which include community-based policing methods and protocols in accordance with applicable state and federal legislations. Continuously monitor and evaluate the short and long-term efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods in the department.
• Ensures the enforcement of laws by police personnel and the apprehension of law violators;
• Ensures the protection of life and property in the community and maintains lawful order;
• Directs and controls the functions of assigned divisions and/or units and supervises subordinates;
• Ensures proper performance and training of police personnel and addresses deficiencies;
• Cooperates with other police agencies and government entities on matters of mutual interest;
• Complies with orders sent down the chain-of-command and carries out such other orders;
• Ensures a safe work environment and conducts performance audits of police personnel;
• Assists the Chief of Police in overall departmental budget development and administration.
• Evaluates systems, processes, equipment, changing operational needs and makes adjustments;
• Supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate assigned staff.
• Maintains the integrity, professionalism, values, and goals of the Huntington Park Police Department by assuring that all rules and regulations are followed, and that accountability and public trust are preserved.
• Supports the relationship between the City of Huntington Park and the general public by demonstrating courteous and cooperative behavior when interacting with visitors and City staff; maintains confidentiality of work-related issues and City information; performs other duties as required or assigned.

Knowledge of:

• City and HPPD policies and procedures
• Proper and effective methods of deploying and utilizing police personnel,both sworn and non- sworn, in day-to-day operations, tactical situations, and anticipated emergencies
• California criminal justice and court systems and the principles of criminal justice records management.
• Modern policing principles, practices, procedures, policies, organization, and administration;
• All relevant City, State and Federal laws with particular emphasis on the apprehension and prosecution of law violators, and current policing challenges
• Criminal and administrative phases of crime prevention, investigation, juvenile delinquency, traffic safety and public safety;
• Principles and practices of modern crime suppression and prevention.
• Duties, powers, authorities, and limitations of a Police Officer.
• Legal and social issues affecting crime and quality of life in the community; and
• Legal and social issues affecting crime and policing across the State and Country.
• Local community issues and regional community resources available to citizens.

Skills:

• Proficiency with software systems necessary to process general correspondence, spreadsheets, and administrative staff work;
• Ability to multi-task and manage various responsibilities and projects simultaneously; and
• Meet the minimum Police Department training standards and firearm proficiency.
• The care, maintenance, and safe operation of a variety of firearms, impact weapons, chemical agents, and other law enforcement tools and equipment.

Ability to:

• Apply, develop, and organize appropriate policies and procedures;
• Establish cooperative and effective working relationships;
• Train, supervise, and evaluate work performance of subordinates;
• Understand and interpret provisions of the municipal code, MOU’s, departmental rules and other City and Police Department policies related to job duties;
• Foster a respectful and professional teamwork environment;
• Plan, organize and prioritize progress of goals and projects;
• Lead, coach, instruct and motivate employees;
• Initiate, recommend and carry out personnel disciplinary action when required;
• Organize, assign, schedule and delegate workload among employees;
• Conduct presentations and speak before groups of people;
• Effectively manage workplace diversity issues in a diverse organization;
• Work necessary hours and days of the week to accomplish goals, objectives and required tasks;
• Effectively communicate both orally and in writing;
• Interact with all levels of employees and the public;
• Initiate and accomplish work in a timely manner;
• Assume responsibility for providing effective customer service;
• Effectively handle stressful situations;
• Handle confidential information with discretion;
• Assume responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment;
• Establish smooth working relationships and resolve interpersonal conflicts; and
• Develop necessary skills from on the job training and meet the standards of performance or higher for the classification on an ongoing basis.

Education and Experience Guidelines

Education and Experience Guidelines – Any combination of equivalent education, training and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education/Training:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible full-time experience in a governmental general law enforcement agency, with at least four (4) years in a supervisory capacity, including two (2) years of experience at the rank of Police Lieutenant or higher.

License or Certificate:

• A valid California Class C Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record.
• Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Management Certificate required.

Physical Requirements and Working Environment:

• Work is performed in a standard office environment and out in the field. Must be able to work long hours and under demanding conditions.
• May require working nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Pursuant to California Government Code §3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their supervisors or by law.

THE CITY OF HUNTINGTON PARK IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The City of Huntington Park is committed to promoting equal employment opportunity to all without regard to political affiliation or opinion, age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, marital status, disability, medical condition, gender, pregnancy, or pregnancy related condition.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The City of Huntington Park is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Please note: If you require an accommodation during the selection process, please notify the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.

LEGAL RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires all new hire employees to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States within three (3) business days beginning with the first day of work. The City is legally prohibited from employing anyone who cannot provide such verification or documentation.

PROVISIONS

The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and any provisions contained in this job announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.

APPLICANT SUPPORT

Please contact NeoGov at [phone].

"The City of Huntington Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer"

"The City of Huntington Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer"