Police Captain

South Pasadena Police Department; South Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

South Pasadena Police Department seeks a dynamic Captain to plan, direct, and coordinate the activities of a major division within the department. The Captain will supervise sworn and non-sworn personnel, ensuring policy compliance and effective service delivery.

The role involves working with City management, presenting to the City Council, and providing staff support to the Chief of Police. A POST supervisory certificate and a bachelor's degree in a related field are required or highly

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field.
• At least four years of increasingly responsible law enforcement experience comparable to that of a middle management position and possession of a P.O.S.T. Supervisory Certificate.
• Completion of a POST management course or possession of a POST Management certificate is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates the activities of a major division of the Police Department.
• Assures uniform, efficient, and consistent application of City and Police Department policies and procedures.
• Meets with City management staff, other City employees, the public, legal advisors, other law enforcement agencies, and civic organizations.
• Develops, administers, and monitors the Department’s budget.
• Directs and forecasts additional funding needs for staffing, equipment, materials, and other supplies.
• Prepares contracts and monitors contract services.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates staff.
• Provides and/or coordinates staff training.
• Recommends, implements and enforces discipline procedures and processes.

Skills

Staff supervision

Budgeting

Policy development

Interagency communication

Public relations

Decision making under pressure

Written communication

Data analysis

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice Administration/Public Administration/Business Administration

Job description

First Review of Applications: July 27, 2026

The recruitment is open until filled and subject to closure at any time.

The City of South Pasadena is committed to fostering a culture of Collaboration, Accountability, Courage, Ownership, Professionalism, and Service Excellence. Candidates are expected to demonstrate these values in their work and interactions with colleagues and the community.

Under the general administrative direction of the Chief of Police, the Captain plans, directs supervises, and coordinates the activities of a division of the Police Department. In the absence of the Chief of Police, the Captain assumes Departmental command by acting as Chief of Police. The Captain assists in establishing objectives for and maintaining general charge of services related to division functions. The Captain will manage, determine, and take corrective action when necessary, provide complex staff assistance to the Chief of Police, and perform other related duties as assigned.

This is a Police Department division command position with responsibility for assisting with overseeing the City’s daily law enforcement functions. Specific to the day-to-day responsibility of supervising the major functions of the Police Department, the Captain will command one of two divisions of the Department: Operations (patrol) and Support Services (detective/administration). In addition to these commands, the Captain provides staff support to the Office of the Chief of Police. These duties include, but are not limited to:

• Plans, directs, supervises, and coordinates the activities of a major division of the Police Department. Assigns and supervises work of the Sergeants and through them the work of subordinate personnel, sworn and non-sworn.


• Assures uniform, efficient, and consistent application of City and Police Department policies and procedures.


• Conducts research and staff studies into a variety of law enforcement and administrative issues.


• Recommends and/or reviews Department policy and procedure, City rules, resolutions, and ordinances.


• Prepares administrative reports. Responds to correspondence and informational requests.


• Ensures implementation of practices which comply with adopted policies, laws, and regulations.


• Meets and consults with City management staff, other City employees, the public, legal advisors, other law enforcement agencies, and civic organizations.


• Provides complex staff assistance to the Chief of Police.


• Makes presentations to the City Council, committees, commissions, and the Chief of Police on matters related to a wide variety of police services, activities, and programs.


• Meets with members of the public and members of citizen groups to explain City policies, procedures, goals, and objectives.


• Responds to and resolves difficult police service related problems and questions.


• Develops, administers, and monitors the Department’s budget.


• Directs and forecasts additional funding needs for staffing, equipment, materials, and other supplies.


• Monitors and approves expenditures.


• Prepares operational and administrative schedules according to the need for law enforcement services.


• Develops and implements policies and procedures for various divisions of the Department, including patrol, traffic, detective, juvenile, records, communications, Police Dispatchers, and Cadets.


• Prepares contracts and monitors contract services.


• Collects and analyzes statistical data and assists in the preparation of comprehensive reports on departmental activities and accomplishments.


• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates staff.


• Prepares and presents employee performance reviews.


• Provides and/or coordinates staff training.


• Works with employees to correct deficiencies


• Recommends, implements and enforces discipline procedures and processes.


• Supervises and conducts investigations.


• Perform other related duties as required.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, or related field. At least four years of increasingly responsible law enforcement experience comparable to that of a middle management position and possession of a P.O.S.T. Supervisory Certificate. Completion of a POST management course or possession of a POST Management certificate is highly desirable.

Knowledge of:

• Modern law enforcement principles, procedures, practices, and techniques.


• Causes, prevention, and control of crime, traffic issues, and delinquency.


• Rules of evidence.


• Civil rights of citizens and arrestees.


• Laws pertaining to search, seizure, and arrest.


• Court and criminal justice system procedures.


• Public relations techniques.


• Interagency communication techniques and practices.


• Municipal organization, administration, and government.


• Principles and practices of police administration.


• Patrol methods.


• Criminal investigation and identification techniques.


• Geography and demographics of the City, including unique law enforcement needs and challenges.


• Applicable Vehicle Code, Penal Code, and City Code provisions.


• City personnel rules, administrative policies, and procedures.


• Principles of supervision and management.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement comprehensive plans to meet Department needs.


• Interpret and explain applicable laws, regulations, rules, and City and departmental policies and procedures.


• Effectively supervise, train, and evaluate sworn and non-sworn personnel.


• Think clearly and act decisively in emergency situations.


• Exercise sound judgment and restraint.


• Maintain effective communication and adhere to the chain of command.


• Identify and promptly inform superiors of sensitive issues and situations.


• Interact with the public using diplomacy, tact, and sensitivity.


• Analyze data and prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive reports.


• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.


• Establish and maintain cooperat