Police Lieutenant - INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

Police Lieutenant

Under general supervision, responsible for managing law enforcement activities for their assigned area. Reports to the Police Captain. Responsible for the effective supervision and overall management and coordination of law enforcement activities in their assigned area; manages personnel administration activities to include preparing, conducting, and reviewing performance evaluations; handling disciplinary actions; identifying and conducting training; and approves and monitors leave requests. Provides guidance to officers in the department with respect to evaluating, counseling, motivating, and disciplining subordinate employees. Responsible for the effective supervision and administration to include budget preparation and monitoring expenditures, staff development and training, succession planning, performance management, employee relations, prioritizing and assigning work and related activities. Establishes systems for ensuring city and departmental personnel policies and procedures are appropriately administered; assists with departmental human resources functions, to include employee relations and staff development programs and develops departmental strategic plans, research and evaluations. Patrols and responds to a variety of criminal activities requiring law enforcement, intervention such as homicides, sexual assaults, robberies, property crimes, domestic violence, vice and narcotics related activities, crimes by and against juveniles, and other crimes; evaluates situation and determines the most appropriate course of action. Pursues or apprehends suspects and criminals; makes arrests which may involve physically restraining or subduing individual(s) and possible use of deadly force; interviews and interrogates victims, witnesses, suspects, and other contact persons; and protects the crime scene for processing; and processes suspects. Provides information and / or assistance to the public, informing citizens of services in the community, or providing referrals to other city, county, or state agencies; may conduct public information programs; responds to citizen complaints; oversees issuance of civil or legal documents. Attends or conducts staff or unit meetings to exchange information; attends, and schedules others to attend, in-service training and technical or professional classes, seminars, or conferences to improve technical or professional skills; serves on professional and technical committees and boards.

The employee must have a considerable knowledge of modern law enforcement practices, procedures, as well as an understanding of the materials, techniques and equipment used in general law enforcement work. This leadership position requires an understanding of departmental policies and procedures, as well as a thorough knowledge of the principles of supervision, organization, and administration, which is reflected in his or her ability to plan, direct and coordinate the work of a large group of employees. The employee must be able to use sound judgment which allows him or her to act quickly and effectively in emergency situations. As a leader, the employee needs to be able to express ideas effectively both orally and in writing, as well as maintain effective working relationships with subordinate personnel. Since the employee is in constant contact with the public, he or she must be able to establish and maintain cooperative and effective public relations, while exercising tact and firmness in contact with the general public.

The employee must maintain the highest standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. The employee exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility and maintains a high quality of communication and interaction with all co-workers and the general public.

Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."

Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards, and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human, and conceptual areas.

Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant, and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.

Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified i.e., poor communications, variance with city policy or procedures, etc.

Shares knowledge with both supervisors and subordinates for the benefit of the city and the department as a whole. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all city employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers, and managers in other departments, to project a good city image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, Captain, professionals, and the public.

Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Avoids duplication of effort. Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings and deadlines.

Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.

Requires an Associate's degree in Public Administration, Criminal Justice or a related field, and 2 years as a Police Sergeant; requires 1 2 years of supervisory experience or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required education and experience. Selected applicants must be available to work all assigned shifts. This will include day shift or night shift Requires satisfactory results from a medical, psychological evaluation and pre-employment substance abuse testing and is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing. Must obtain and maintain for continued employment all State requirements for Police Officers as specified in Virginia Code; all federal and state requirements to carry a firearm; may require certifications such as Breathalyzer certification. Must complete 40 hours of in-service training bi-annually. Requires a comprehensive background investigation to include a local, state and federal criminal history check; and a sex offender registry check. A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record. Must be able to wear a standard issued duty belt with all applicable gear. Additional training may be necessary to meet the requirements of some division assignments.

Promotion shall be based on a cumulative process that may include a written examination and an assessment of the candidate's knowledge, skills and abilities. Promotion shall be open to all employees who have served at least two (2) full years in the Classified Service (Sergeant) of the respective Department. Eligibility for promotion will start on the anniversary date one (1) day after having served one (1) year or more in the next lower position in a non-probationary status, however, a person shall only be entitled to take a promotional exam if that person has served at least one (1) year or more in the next lower position in a non-probationary status.

Police Lieutenant

Written Test : Up to 35 points

Performance-Based Assessment : Up to 65 points (equally divided among two exercises)

Seniority : Up to 5 points (1 / 2 point per year up to 10 years in rank)

Chief Interview : Rule of 5

In order to register to participate for the Written Test and the Performance-Based Assessment for the rank of Police Lieutenant, all eligible employees must first complete their application in the City of Portsmouth career portal. Once determined that the candidate meets the eligibility requirements, the candidate will be emailed a consultant provided online candidate orientation to complete.

Police Department Suggested Reading Materials :

The Police Manager, 8th Edition. Egan K. Green, Ronald G. Lynch and Scott R. Lynch

City of Portsmouth Police Department Standard Operating Procedures

City of Portsmouth Administrative Policies : https : / / hr.portsmouthva.gov / 154 / Administrative-Manual

Written Test Date : Saturday, December 14, 2025

Time : 12 : 00 pm

Location : Rivers Casino Portsmouth, 3630 Victory Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23701

Performance-Based Assessment Date : Saturday, December 20, 2025

Time : 7am-5pm

Location : I.C. Norcom High School, 1801 London Blvd, Portsmouth, VA 23704

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a two-way radio, typewriter, calculator, copier, etc. Must be physically able to operate a motor vehicle and operate a variety of firearms. Must be able to exert up to 150 pounds of force occasionally and / or a negligible