Police Sergeant

City of Indio; Indio (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Indio seeks a Police Sergeant to supervise patrol, investigations, traffic control, and community programs while ensuring compliance with department policies and standards.

You will lead a team, coordinate with other divisions, mentor staff, and prepare reports. The role emphasizes crime prevention, public safety, and professional leadership within the Police Department.

Qualifications

• Minimum of an associate degree or equivalent college coursework or POST Intermediate Certificate.
• Knowledge of police administration, investigations, and code enforcement principles.
• Ability to supervise, mentor staff, and coordinate with other divisions and agencies.

Responsibilities

• Supervise activities of a police program area including patrol, traffic control, investigations, and administrative services.
• Provide instruction and guidance to subordinates; develop work plans and goals.
• Coordinate with other divisions, units, and outside agencies; prepare and review reports.
• Represent department in community relations and public education programs.
• Monitor compliance with department policies and apply accountability and integrity standards.

Skills

Supervision

Police administration

Investigation

Code enforcement

Leadership

Public speaking

Education

Associate’s Degree or 60 semester units or 90 quarter units or POST Intermediate Certificate

Job description

DEFINITION

Under direction, coordinates and supervises the activities and operations of a team of police employees, program, or function of the Police Department, to include patrol, traffic control, investigations, community improvement, and administrative or support services; implements departmental policies and procedures; coordinates activities with other divisions, units, City departments, outside agencies, and organizations; performs the more difficult and responsible law enforcement and crime prevention supervision and planning; performs other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Police Sergeant is the supervisory level class responsible for administrative, supervisory, and technical duties in leading program level functions within the department. Employees in this class supervise line-level employees or program unit, and provide leadership for ongoing law enforcement, crime prevention and investigative and administrative activities. This classification is distinguished from the next higher classification of Police Lieutenant in that the latter is a mid-level manager responsible for the performance of multiple teams and complex department management duties.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (include but are not limited to the following)

• Accepts supervisory responsibility for activities, operations, and services of an assigned program area, including patrol, traffic control, investigations, code enforcement, and administrative or support services; supervises and participates in investigative and field patrol work, including responding to the scene of incidents to render assistance to Officers and oversee their activities, and coordinating activities with other agencies.
• Establishes or revises priorities, work methods and activities, and the allocation of assigned personnel and equipment in response to calls for service and changes in resources or department needs; evaluates situations and determines if specialized personnel or other resources are needed and how they should be utilized; analyzes crime and accident statistics and reports to identify crime and accident patterns and develop strategies to maintain a state of readiness.
• Provides instruction to subordinates in the performance of their duties, and acts as a resource to assist in answering questions and solving problems; provides technical support to Officers in the field; meets individually with subordinates to develop work plans, establish work goals, and understand their individual issues and needs.
• Identifies training needs of subordinates and works to address those needs; conducts formal and informal training sessions; coaches and mentors staff as part of staff development and succession planning.
• Communicates agency goals and mission, and helps ensure alignment of work activities with those goals and mission; promotes and reinforces an atmosphere of accountability, ethics, and integrity; maintains positive working relationships with peers, supervisors, and subordinates through open communication and by exhibiting behavior that reflects the department's core values; fosters a work atmosphere conducive to high productivity, motivation, morale, and job satisfaction.
• Attends staff meetings to provide input and receive information on department issues; shares information with others in the department to maintain open communication and coordinate activities with other divisions, units, and watches; conducts briefing sessions with subordinates to disseminate information, maintain awareness of situations involving staff, and solve problems.
• Represents the department to members of the community through personal contact and attending special functions to coordinate problem solving and maintain a positive department image; monitors community activity through personal contact with community residents; meets with or speaks to school and community groups to provide assistance, information, and address concerns; assists in the development and implementation of community relations and public education programs; promotes the participation of subordinates in community‑oriented policing.
• Represents the Department with other law enforcement services and allied agencies, organizations, and other City departments; coordinates multiagency responses to major emergencies by working with outside agencies to coordinate response plans, resources, and operational issues; coordinates the sharing of criminal intelligence information with Federal, State, and local agencies.
• Meets with legal or court representatives to discuss problems, needs, or cases; testifies in court in connection with the prosecution of offenders.
• Participates in or supervises criminal investigations and investigations involving department personnel, and makes recommendations on case disposition; verifies and analyzes factual information and other evidence gathered in an investigation to determine the appropriate action; reviews the actions of Officers conducting investigations to determine if policies and procedures were followed.
• Remains informed of current policies, procedures, municipal ordinances, and state and federal laws; disseminates information regarding department policies and procedures; works directly with sworn and non‑sworn personnel in the interpretation of City and department policies to ensure compliance.
• Monitors the condition of department equipment and facilities, and ensures that deficiencies are corrected; procures or recommends the purchase of necessary equipment, supplies, and vehicles.
• Writes various special or summary reports, memos, and internal/external correspondence; reviews various reports, logs, and correspondence written by staff as to accuracy, completeness, content, clarity, legality, correctness of grammar, language use, and spelling.

OTHER DUTIES (include but are not limited to the following)

• May supervise special programs such as Professional Standards and departmental training and recruitment.
• Performs other related duties as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED

Receives direction from a Police Lieutenant. Exercises direct and indirect supervision over sworn and non‑sworn personnel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (The following are minimal qualifications necessary for entry into the classification.)

Education

Associate’s Degree or sixty (60) semester units or ninety (90) quarter units of degree qualified coursework from an accredited college or university, or have been issued a California P.O.S.T. Intermediate Certificate.

Experience

Three (3) years of experience as a full‑time, sworn peace officer with a public agency.

License/Certificate

Possession of a valid Class C California driver’s license, or ability to obtain within 10 days of establishing California residency.

Possession of a valid CPR certification, or ability to obtain upon appointment.

Must obtain a P.O.S.T. Supervisory Certificate within 24 months of appointment.

Must possess a valid California P.O.S.T. Basic Certificate or Basic Course Waiver at the time of appointment. Out of state applicants can compete in the selection process, but cannot be appointed until successfully completing the P.O.S.T Basic Course Waiver Process.

Other Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien who is eligible and has applied for U.S. citizenship and be 21 years of age by the time of appointment.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES (The following are a representative sample of the KSA's necessary to perform essential duties of the position.)

Knowledge of

Modern principles, practices, and techniques of police administration, organization, and operation; administrative and technical aspects of crime prevention and law enforcement activities, including investigation and identification, patrol, traffic control, juvenile programs, record keeping, automated records systems, search and seizure, code violations, and care and custody of persons and property; criminal law with particular reference to apprehension, arrest, and custody of persons committing misdemeanors and felonies, including rules of evidence pertaining to search and seizure and the gathering, preservation, and presentation of evidence in criminal cases; applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; aspects of constitutional law and legal decisions/interpretations related to law enforcement (e.g., civil rights); investigation principles and techniques including scene management procedures; community‑oriented policing theory, strategies, and techniques; a supervisor’s responsibility in promoting police accountability; officers’ rights; basic law enforcement training/instruction procedures and techniques; principles and practices of program development, administration and evaluation; methods and techniques for record keeping and report preparation and writing; standard office procedures, practices and equipment; methods of scheduling work assignments; occupational hazards and standard safety practices; basic principles of mathematics; basic rules of grammar, spelling, and punctuation in the English language; report writing methods and techniques to properly document incidents and investigations.

Skill to

Make proper assignment of personnel and appropriate use of resources; utilize resources effectively and establish a course of action to accomplish goals; prioritize and organize work tasks to ensure work is completed in a timely manner; develop processes, procedures, and policies to provide for the effective operation of the unit; assess the actions of others to determine compliance with laws and procedures; address subordinates’ performance problems through specific, constructive performance feedback, and working with subordinates to develop their knowledge and skills; resolve employee issues and disputes; identify roles, create a team identity, and leverage team dynamics to enable a constructive and productive work group; mentor and develop others for career and leadership opportunities; foster a collaborative environment by practicing and encouraging open communication and participation, and acknowledging the contributions of others; influence others through negotiation and building consensus; verbally de‑escalate a variety of potentially dangerous situations to maintain control of the situation and ensure the safety and security of surroundings, individuals, and/or property; make effective presentations before both small and large groups that are well‑ordered and tailored to the audience and to respond to questions; write in English using proper spelling, sentence structure, and grammar to produce clear and concise written materials; write reports that are complete and accurate to provide a thorough account of a situation/incident; proofread and correct documents written by others; effectively utilize computers, software, and communication systems in all aspects of the job.

Ability to

Motivate individuals and encourage the participation of subordinates in the accomplishment of tasks and/or arrival at solutions to problems; set performance expectations for subordinates and hold them accountable for their actions; understand and uphold the Department's values, goals, and direction and instill these within subordinates; take initiative in perceiving and dealing with problems; persist at a task or problem in the face of setbacks or obstacles, and maintain effort; encourage others to learn from their experiences and apply the knowledge gained to improve performance, problem solving, and decision making; recognize training deficiencies and/or performance problems in subordinate personnel to determine effective corrective training and developmental or disciplinary measures; quickly assess and size up a situation and isolate and identify the problem(s); consider the relative risks and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one; accurately recall places, names, faces, numbers, descriptive characteristics, and facts of incidents; perform and/or manage multiple tasks or be involved in multiple activities concurrently; adapt plans and schedules to meet changing priorities of work objectives, personnel, resources, and/or workload demands; withstand and process negative stress/pressure or discouraging feedback; view things from another person’s point of view by being receptive and accepting of alternative opinions and/or ideas; handle problems/issues in a manner that shows consideration for the feelings and concerns of others; apply the appropriate interpersonal interaction based on the situation; encourage and build mutual trust, respect, and cooperation; deal with others in a fair, consistent, and impartial manner; foster an environment of cooperation between the department and the community through respectful, professional interactions; establish a rapport with individuals from diverse ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds; build cooperative relationships with community leaders and partners; demonstrate responsible and honest behavior in all work tasks and responsibilities; demonstrate a commitment to professional development, including striving to develop and acquire new knowledge and skills; speak in a clear, effective manner with subordinates, peers, management, allied agencies, and the public in all routine and technical aspects of the job; follow oral directions; read and follow written directions.