Assistant Police Chief

Assistant Police Chief

Under the direction of the Police Chief, embrace vision of community-based policing and instill it in others; facilitate the development and implementation of a community-based police organization, with recognition of restraints and limitations; manage and lead a major division of police service operations; lead and supervise the activities of police captains and officers and other assigned staff; assure the enforcement of State, County and municipal laws; plan and develop methods and procedures to assure department goals and objectives are met. Serve as Acting Police Chief in the Chief's absence.

The Assistant Police Chief will assist in the overall direction of the department's internal operations; directs assigned activities, while assuring the effective protection of lives, property and constitutional rights through the enforcement of laws and ordinances. Also to help formulate, develop, implement and evaluate department policies goals and objectives. The Assistant Police Chief will help inspire a sense of confidence and security in the citizens of Lakewood through professionalism, citizen involvement, and creative approaches to public safety.

The City of Lakewood participates in the Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System (LEOFF). The proposed 2026 salary range for this position is $13,924 - $17,663 / mo.

Qualified candidates will possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Criminal Justice, Social Science, Public Administration or a related field coupled with a minimum of 10 years of experience, or an equivalent combination to a Bachelor's degree in the aforementioned areas and 10 years of experience with increasingly-responsible and varied administrative experience in a police department which provides a full range of police services. A minimum of ten years' qualified, increasingly-responsible, full-time commissioned law enforcement work experience including at least five years supervisory experience. Prior police command experience preferred.

Washington State Police Academy training / certification and Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center supervisory certification through middle management level or state approved equivalent; out-of-state candidates must successfully complete the Washington State Criminal Justice Center Equivalency Academy within six months of employment. Valid Washington driver's license within 30 days of hire-date. Satisfactory results of stringent personal background investigation.

Knowledge of modern principles, practices and methods of municipal police department administration, organization and operations. Technical and administrative phases of crime prevention and law enforcement, including investigation and identification, patrol, traffic control, care and custody of persons and property, and environmental protection. Principles and practices of supervision, training, performance evaluation, and personnel management. Community policing philosophy and techniques. City ordinances, Civil Service regulations, and related federal and state laws and WAC rules. Powers and limitations of peace officers. Behavior of criminals and underlying causes of criminality. Definitions and terminology of major crimes. Current trends in law enforcement and recent court cases affecting police work. Equipment and information technology related to more efficient police services. Oral and written communication skills. Public speaking techniques. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.

Ability to : Strong oral and written communication skills; especially with police department personnel, public officials, law enforcement agents, and citizen groups and organizations. Plan, organize, direct and evaluate varied activities related to police services and operations. Enforce federal, State, County and City laws, ordinances and codes. Read, interpret, apply and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others. Analyze complex police situations accurately and adopt quick, effective and reasonable courses of action with due regard to surrounding hazards and circumstances. Effectively assign and direct police personnel to accomplish department goals and objectives. Ability to read, interpret, apply and explain codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Efficiently and effectively allocate employees, expenditures, and equipment. Negotiate and administer contracts with outside vendors and service providers. Prepare a variety of technical and administrative reports, correspondence and other materials. Supervise, assign, train and evaluate personnel. Positively and effectively interact with diverse individuals to accomplish a common goal. Physical ability to perform essential job functions. Ability to read, interpret and apply budget management and be fiscally responsive for normal operations.

Work is generally performed in a typical office environment, with most of the time spent sitting, standing or walking, and stooping / kneeling. Position may require work outside and using body, ear and eye protection. The incumbent may respond to complex police situations or emergencies and is therefore subject to any of the hazards encountered by police patrol officers. Position also requires attendance at evening City and community meetings.