Police Chief

Fortuna Police Department; Fortuna (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fortuna Police Department is seeking a Police Chief to serve as the full-time department head. The role provides administrative leadership, strategic planning, and collaboration with the City Manager to advance public safety and city goals.

The Chief will guide operations, personnel development, budgeting, and compliance with applicable laws and standards. Responsibilities include directing major initiatives, coordinating with city departments and external partners, and representing the

Qualifications

• Leadership and governance experience in a public safety agency.
• Strong knowledge of police administration, budgeting, and policy development.
• Ability to work with city leadership and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Assume full management responsibility for all department services and activities, including law enforcement and crime prevention programs; implement policies and procedures.
• Develop and implement departmental goals, policies, and long-range planning aligned with city priorities.
• Lead emergency management and ICS coordination with city departments and regional partners.
• Oversee department budget, expenditures, and grant administration; ensure regulatory compliance and professional standards.

Job description

The Police Chief is a full-time department head classification responsible for the functions of the Police Department. This position provides assistance to the City Manager in a variety of administrative, analytical, and collaborative capacities. Work is performed under the administrative direction of the City Manager, with extensive latitude granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. Responsibilities include coordinating activities with other departments and agencies and managing and overseeing the complex functions of the department. Work is typically performed in a general office environment and in a variety of emergency and non-emergency situations that may involve exposure to potential personal danger. Moderate to heavy physical activity may be required in certain situations. Outdoor work may include exposure to inclement weather.

Responsibilities

• Assume full management responsibility for all department services and activities, including law enforcement and crime prevention programs; recommend and administer policies and procedures.
• Manage the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, strategic priorities, and long-range organizational planning efforts.
• Support implementation of the City Council’s Strategic Plan, General Plan, and organizational priorities by aligning Police Department operations, services, and resources with adopted City goals.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate, through subordinate-level staff, a department work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures; meet with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Provide leadership in emergency management, disaster preparedness and Incident Command System (ICS), including coordination with City departments and regional partners during emergency operations.
• Assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, internal reporting relationships, technology, crime analysis, operational data, and performance measures to identify opportunities for improvement; direct organizational changes that enhance operational effectiveness and public safety services.
• Direct and assist with the investigation of major crimes, accidents, or other unusual incidents.
• Select, train, motivate, and evaluate assigned personnel; provide or coordinate staff training and career development; work with employees to correct deficiencies and implement discipline.
• Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the department budget; approve expenditures and implement budgetary adjustments as appropriate.
• Oversee Department accreditation, regulatory compliance, and professional standards to promote accountability, operational consistency, and adherence to applicable laws, regulations, policies, and industry standards.
• Provide assistance to the City Manager; participate on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Represent the Police Department by developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with City departments, elected officials, residents, businesses, schools, community organizations, the media, allied agencies, and regional public safety partners to enhance public safety, strengthen public trust, and support City goals.
• Promote community engagement through public education, presentations, transparency, outreach, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of recent developments in the fields of crime prevention, police-community relations, and other law enforcement areas.
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Perform related duties as required.

Knowledge

• Safe work practices.
• Modern principles, practices, techniques, and procedures of Police Department administration and operation.
• Advanced methods, practices, and principles of crime prevention and law enforcement, including investigation, identification, patrol, juvenile diversion, record keeping, and care and custody of persons and property.
• Laws, ordinances, regulations, and court decisions affecting the responsibilities and work of law enforcement agencies.
• Use and care of firearms.
• Principles of supervision, training, management, performance evaluation, and public administration.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration, including grant administration.
• Principles and practices of effective public speaking and report writing.
• Modern office methods, practices, and procedures, including computer hardware and software.

Ability

• Act with integrity, ingenuity, and effectiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the law enforcement and crime prevention functions of the City.
• Provide supervision, training, and management for Department staff.
• Formulate, evaluate, and recommend updates to Department policies, procedures, municipal regulations, and operational practices in response to changes in law, emerging public safety needs, and organizational priorities.
• Interpret, explain, apply, and enforce a variety of laws, rules, and regulations.
• Direct the preparation of a variety of records and reports.
• Prepare and administer the Department budget.
• Provide advice and consultation to the City Manager and City Council on law enforcement activities and functions.
• Effectively represent the Police Department with citizen groups, boards, commissions, and other government agencies.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language.
• Understand and follow oral and/or written instructions, policies, and procedures.
• Operate a personal computer using software applications appropriate to assigned tasks, as applicable.
• Perform a wide va