Police Captain

Reno Police Department; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Reno Police Department is promoting from within for the position of Police Captain. This internal opportunity requires current Lieutenants to meet minimum qualifications and be actively employed with the Reno Police Department through appointment.

The role oversees a major division, directing, managing, and coordinating activities with other divisions and external agencies, including community and public interactions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or completion of at least 120 semester credits (180 quarter credits) including 30 semester credits (45 quarter credits) in criminal justice, public administration, business administration, or a related field.
• Possession of a Nevada Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Supervisor Certificate or Management Certificate will satisfy the education requirement.
• Unofficial transcripts detailing degree conferred or credits earned must be attached to the application or submitted by the closing date.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and direction for a major Police Department division, including strategic planning, program management, and operational oversight.
• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and evaluates the work of Lieutenants, Sergeants, and other personnel to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
• Develops and implements division goals, policies, and procedures; monitors compliance and recommends improvements.
• Manages divisional budget, resource allocation, and staffing to meet operational and strategic objectives.
• Serves as liaison with other city departments, law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and the public; represents the department in professional and community settings.
• Oversees major incidents, special events, and emergency response operations, ensuring appropriate coordination and resource deployment.
• Directs and participates in internal investigations, personnel performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions as required.
• Prepares and reviews reports, analyses, and presentations for executive leadership, boards, or court as necessary.

Education

Bachelor’s degree or 120 semester credits including 30 in criminal justice/public administration/business administration or related field

Job description

This is an internal promotional opportunity for current City of Reno Police Lieutenants who meet the minimum qualifications.

Under administrative direction, Police Captains assist in the administration and supervision of the Police Department. They direct, manage, supervise, and coordinate the activities and operations of an assigned Division within the Police Department. They will coordinate assigned activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies and provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to their appointed Assistant Chief of Police.

Note: The salary and benefits associated with this position are subject to change at any time.

• Provides leadership and direction for a major Police Department division, including strategic planning, program management, and operational oversight.
• Plans, organizes, assigns, supervises, and evaluates the work of Lieutenants, Sergeants, and other personnel to ensure efficient and effective service delivery.
• Develops and implements division goals, policies, and procedures; monitors compliance and recommends improvements.
• Manages divisional budget, resource allocation, and staffing to meet operational and strategic objectives.
• Serves as liaison with other city departments, law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and the public; represents the department in professional and community settings.
• Oversees major incidents, special events, and emergency response operations, ensuring appropriate coordination and resource deployment.
• Directs and participates in internal investigations, personnel performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions as required.
• Prepares and reviews reports, analyses, and presentations for executive leadership, boards, or court as necessary.

The following minimum qualifications of the position must be met by the date of examination (January 11, 2027).

Combinations of relevant work experience and education that are equivalent to the following are acceptable.*

Education/Training:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, police science, public administration, business administration, organizational leadership or a closely related field or completion of at least 120 semester credits (180 quarter credits) including 30 semester credits (45 quarter credits) in criminal justice, public administration, business administration, or a related field.

*Possession of a Nevada Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST) Supervisor Certificate or Management Certificate will satisfy the education requirement.

Note: In order for your education to be counted towards the minimum qualifications, an unofficial copy of your transcripts detailing your Bachelor's Degree conferred or 120 semester/180 quarter college credits earned must be attached to your online application or submitted to the Office of the Civil Service Commission by the closing date and time. No postmarks will be accepted.

Work Experience:

Four continuous years of full-time sworn law enforcement experience as a Police Lieutenant with the Reno Police Department.

License/Certification:

• Valid driver's license
• Valid Nevada Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Category I certification

Eligibility Requirements:

• Candidates must be actively employed as a sworn Police Lieutenant with the Reno Police Department from the time of application through appointment.
• Candidates must maintain all required certifications and employment eligibility from the time of application through appointment to this classification.

Examination Process:

The examination process for this recruitment will consist of an assessment center to include a variety of job related exercises weighted at 100% of the final grade.

The Assessment Center is scheduled for the week of January 11, 2027.

Each candidate will be scheduled on only one of the testing dates.

The scores of all assessment center exercises will be averaged together to create the candidates final score for the assessment center. Candidates must achieve an average final score of 70% or greater in order to pass the assessment center.

Notification:

Applicants are notified by email of their examination results. Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications will also be notified.

Testing Accommodation:

We strive to ensure equal access for all individuals. If you require accommodations due to a disability, we encourage you to inform the Chief Examiner by the closing date of this announcement. Your request will