Police Commander

Lake Forest Park Police Department; Lake Forest Park (WA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lake Forest Park Police Department seeks a dynamic Commander to partner with the Police Chief in shaping departmental programs and growth. The role demands an autonomous, organized leader who can manage division operations, staff, and strategic initiatives while fostering trust with City leadership and the community.

As a senior leader, you will oversee patrol or support services divisions, coordinate programs, monitor compliance, and drive continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Implements and monitors Division programs, staffing, training, policies, procedures, and practices used to enforce the laws and ordinances of the City and State.
• Oversees the Police Department’s facilities and equipment programs. Includes tracking inventory, ordering and managing new equipment, replacement of budgeted equipment, implementation of new equipment and/or programs to meet future needs; Conducts inspections of Police Department facilities and takes appropriate measures to rectify any problems noted.
• Implements, interprets and applies policies, procedures, and plans; Assists with the development, revision, and evaluation of existing and new policies/procedures for the department; Performs audits and inspections of Department activities as required by policy.
• Monitors trends in law enforcement practices and recommends operational and policy improvements; evaluates programs, services, and activities to ensure they are meeting community policing needs; Keeps abreast of modern law enforcement methods, technologies, techniques and best practices; communicate changes to appropriate personnel through policy updates, bulletins, briefings and in-service training.

Job description

Note: Proposed 2027 salary step schedule: $129,235.72 - $184,899.86 annually DOE.

JOIN OUR TEAM

As Commander, you will partner directly with the Chief of Police to shape and sustain the future success of the Lake Forest Park Police Department. This vital role requires a dynamic communicator who can build deep organizational trust and forge strong, collaborative relationships with City leadership, elected officials, and neighborhood community groups. If you are a highly autonomous, organized leader with a proven ability to manage division programs and drive continuous departmental growth, we invite you to apply.

ABOUT US

The Lake Forest Park Police Department is comprised of 26 commissioned officers, support staff and non-sworn employees committed to making our community the safest community in the Puget Sound Region.

Under the direction of the Police Chief, the Department is led by two full-time Commander positions responsible for the operation and administration of their assigned Division (Patrol Operations Division or the Support Services Division) and programs.

Visit our webpage to learn more about our Department: https://cityoflfp.gov/167/Police-Department

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The City offers excellent time-off benefits, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability (LTD), employee assistance program (EAP), HRA/HSA/FSA, enrollment in Washington State's DRS LEOFF retirement pension plan, 401(a) retirement plan with City matching contribution (social security replacement plan), and an optional 457 deferred compensation plan (DCP).

Work schedule: Day shift, however frequent evening, night and weekend work is required.

Work hours: 4/10, 9/80 or 5/8 schedule available based on operational needs and consideration of the employee's preference.

Essential Functions:

• Implements and monitors Division programs, staffing, training, policies, procedures, and practices used to enforce the laws and ordinances of the City and State.
• Oversees the Police Department’s facilities and equipment programs. Includes tracking inventory, ordering and managing new equipment, replacement of budgeted equipment, implementation of new equipment and/or programs to meet future needs; Conducts inspections of Police Department facilities and takes appropriate measures to rectify any problems noted. May serve as quartermaster for the Department.
• Implements, interprets and applies policies, procedures, and plans; Assists with the development, revision, and evaluation of existing and new policies/procedures for the department; Performs audits and inspections of Department activities as required by policy.
• Monitors trends in law enforcement practices and recommends operational and policy improvements; evaluates programs, services, and activities to ensure they are meeting community policing needs; Keeps abreast of modern law enforcement methods, technologies, techniques and best practices; communicate changes to appropriate personnel through policy updates, bulletins, briefings and in-service training.

Community Outreach & Education:

• Communicates and maintains good relations with the general public, City officials, staff, and other law enforcement agencies.
• Reviews public complaints and recommends to the Police Chief a best course of action; ensures the Police Chief is aware of complaints and keeps the Police Chief apprised of the progress or status of internal matters and issues of public concern;
• Provides community education and solutions to community policing issues; Educates the public, City Council, and staff through trainings and public briefings.
• Assists the Police Chief in the preparation and submittal of periodic reports to the Mayor, City Council, and City Administrator regarding the department’s activities.
• Assists the Police Chief with the preparation, presentation, and administration of the annual budget for the department; assists with analyzing statistics and the preparation of programs to deal with problems identified in the community policing process.
• Assists administration and supervisory staff on social media dissemination; Interface with the media when needed or required to push out messages to the community; Regularly update the City’s Police webpage, when needed.

Personnel Management & Administrative Support:

• Develops and maintains a workforce committed to the Department’s mission. Provides managerial assistance and supervision to select, train, motivate, mentor, and evaluate staff; establishes and monitors employee performance objectives; plans, directs and coordinates work plans; provides or coordinates staff training; in partnership with Human Resources, works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements and recommends corrective action.
• Meets regularly with staff to discuss and resolve priorities and technical issues; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures.
• Facilitates problem solving in the Department and encourages a high degree of communication and feedback between employees and supervisors; leads by example by maintaining high standards of behavior and performance.
• Assists the Police Chief in directing the development and maintenance of systems, records, and legal documents that provide for proper evaluation control, and documentation of Police Department operations.
• Reviews Department's use of overtime, sick leave, holiday and vacation time and reports issues to the Police Chief.
• Directs and conducts internal and administrative investigations at the direction of the Police Chief and makes recommendations consistent with policies and procedures.
• Investigates complaints against employees (internal or external) when assigned; Prepares findings of facts to the Police Chief for appropriate action.
• Review