Police LieutenantCITY OF RIDGEFIELD, WA
JOB DESCRIPTION
POLICE LIEUTENANT
Department: Police
Pay Grade: PL
FLSA Status: Exempt
GENERAL PURPOSE
Performs highly responsible and administrative work supporting the Police Chief and directing,
managing, supervising, and coordinating assigned programs, personnel, and activities within the
department and with other departments and outside agencies.
Plans, organizes, and manages the daily administrative and/or operational functions of the
Police Department, patrol, and investigative activities to protect life and property through law
enforcement and crime prevention work. Assists in the overall administration, management,
planning, organizing, and staffing of the department and in the enforcement and
implementation of all policies and procedures as set forth by the Chief of Police and the City
Manager. This position has second-in-command duties within the department, under the
direction of the Chief of Police.
SUPERVISION RECEIEVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from the Chief of Police. Provides supervisory responsibility for all
employees assigned. Assists and advises on many supervisory responsibilities. Develops policies
and coordinates training on supervisory issues. Maintains full responsibility for the training,
coaching, disciplining, and conducting of performance reviews for all professional, technical,
and contract staff. Prepares work schedules, assigns, and reviews work. Provides work
directions, assigns, and approves overtime, and oversees contractors.
Essential Job Functions
Essential duties are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills.
They are intended to be accurate summaries of what the job classification involves and what is
required to perform it. Employees are responsible for all other duties as assigned.
Management and Coordination of Department
Assists the Chief of Police in the management and coordination of the department as follows:
• Provides counsel and assistance to the Chief of Police regarding department operations.
• Assumes management responsibility for assigned Police Department functions including
patrol or administrative services and activities and fulfills the duties of the Police Chief in
their absence.
• Manages and coordinates the activities of police staff by scheduling, planning, and
organizing workloads and assignments, conducting performance evaluations, monitoring,
and resolving grievances and other personnel matters and providing training to employees
to ensure effective delivery of services by the department.
• Monitors, supervises, and evaluates the performance of supervisors within the department.
• Assists in the selection, motivation, and evaluation of department personnel and works with
employees to correct deficiencies.
Internal Department Policies, Training and Performance
Oversees internal department operations in the following areas:
• Policies: Implements policies, procedures, and performance standards to assure efficient
and effective activities that are in compliance with Federal and State law, city and
departmental guidelines, goals, and objectives. Reviews and analyzes existing practices and
procedures to recommend improvements and changes as warranted.
• Resolution of Employee Complaints: Contributes to resolution of employee complaints
and/or grievances; investigates or supervises the investigation of internal and/or external
departmental situations, analyzes and evaluates information to make recommendations on
the resolution of each case.
• Resolution of Service Complaints: Directs the resolution of inquiries, problems, complaints,
or emergencies affecting availability or quality of services. Responds to the most sensitive
or complex inquiries or service complaints.
• Training: Assures adequate training for department personnel to make full use of individual
capabilities and to meet changing system demands; develops, coordinates, and implements
training programs. Verifies and ensures compliance for mandatory training requirements.
Coordinate training with Regional Emergency Management Coordinator, city staff and other
service agencies.
• Review Reports: Supervises the report approval, and monitors all case reports, Use of Force
reports, arrest citations and incidents; checks for policy compliance and assures policies are
complied with.
Strategic Planning
Participates in strategic planning for the department as follows:
• Participates in the development and administration of the department budget, approves
the forecast of the funds need for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies, approves
expenditures, and implements budgetary adjustments, as necessary.
• Studies law enforcement reports to determine trends and make recommendations for
changes in organization, procedures, and guidelines to improve effectiveness and efficiency
of police department operations. Identifies special community law enforcement
needs/concerns, makes recommendation, and works with related groups/agencies to
address concerns.
• Directs the development and maintenance of systems and records that provide for the proper
evaluation, control, and documentation of assigned operations and prepares technical,
statistical, analytical, operational, and administrative studies/reports as requested.
Community Outreach and Engagement
Works with the Chief of Police in community outreach and engagement by:
• Provides police department representation regarding assigned operations on various
committees, state, and local advisory boards; coordinates activities with other law
enforcement and governmental agencies as needed.
• Works with the Chief of Police to attend plan, and present crime prevention and safety
promotion programs through civic, school, business, and other community groups.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and
procedures and recommends, within department policy, appropriate service, and staffing
levels.
• Represents the Police Department to other departments, elected officials,
multijurisdictional committees and efforts, and the media to ensure accurate reporting of
activities and outside agencies, and coordinates assigned activities with those other
departments and outside agencies and organizations.
• Provides staff assistance to the Police Chief, participates in a variety of boards,
commissions, and committees, and plans, prepares, and presents staff reports and other
necessary correspondence.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings and stays abreast of latest trends
and innovations in the field of law enforcement.
• Coordinate training with Regional Emergency Management Coordinator, city staff and
other service agencies.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Law Enforcement
Engages in law enforcement when necessary as follows:
• Executes power of arrest and control including full search, rights advisement, warrant
executions, and arresting person.
• Performs duties using force or deadly force to subdue suspects, defend self with or without
weapons, and discharge of firearms in multiple scenarios including daylight, nighttime, or
darkness with artificial lighting.
• Operates emergency vehicles during hazardous road conditions and during high-speed
pursuits and responses.
• Performs duties necessary for conducting special operations, raids, searches, or searches for
persons in darkened building or environment posing great hazard to self or others.
• Provides oversight of the Field Training Officer program for the development of newly hired
officers in the department.
• Performs various police duties necessary to enforce City, State and Federal laws, provides
support and assistance to other officers involved in hazardous police operations, supervises,
and participates in search warrants in tactical operations, and provides direction and
oversight to officers on incidents encountered during patrol.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and
abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience, Education and Other Requirements
• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Bachelor’s Degree in police administration, criminal justice, or other related field is
desirable.
• Five (5) years supervisory experience at the rank of police sergeant or higher. Must not have
had a break in full-time commissioned law enforcement of 24-months or greater.
Licenses, Certificates & Other Requirements:
• Possession of a valid driver’s license with a driving record free from serious or frequent
violations.
• United States citizen or lawful permanent resident.
Training Requirements:
• For out of state candidates: ability to successfully complete the Washington State Criminal
Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) Basic Law Enforcement Academy (or Equivalency
Academy if qualified to attend).
• Possession of or have the ability to obtain WSCJTC Level One Career Level Certification
(First-Level Supervisor Certification) within one year.
• Ability to obtain WSCJTC Level Two Career Level Certification (Middle Manager
Certification) within one year.
Physical Requirements:
• Must possess the visual ability to see clearly at close (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or
more) distances, identify and distinguish colors, observe an area that can be seen up and
down or the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point, judge distances and spatial
relationships, and adjust the eye to bring objects into sharp focus.
• Additionally, the following physical abilities are required: Standing, walking, sitting, using
hands and fingers to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, climbing, balancing,
stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, talking, and hearing.
All employees are expected to work in a manner consistent with the City of Ridgefield’s Team
Philosophy: work diligently to provide quality service and make a better community; with
accountability, reliability, and integrity; be innovative, efficient, proactive, and adaptive; work
as a cohesive team with compassion, leadership and professionalism; and know how to have
fun.
Must pass a full police pre-employment hiring process, including but not limited to, reference
checks, criminal records check, background investigation, polygraph, psychological evaluation,
and medical exam.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIREMENTS
Knowledge of:
• Practices, principles, methods and procedures of police administration, criminal
investigation.
• Safety regulations and procedures and practices in law enforcement.
• City, state, and federal laws and regulations pertaining to police service.
• Fiscal management including budget preparation, expenditure control and record keeping.
• Management and supervisory principles, practices, and methods.
Ability to:
• Assist in the development of departmental goals and objectives and perform planning and
budgeting functions.
• Plan, organize and oversee assigned work programs including monitoring work schedules
and evaluating the work of subordinates.
• Develop goals and objectives for assigned programs.
• Analyze and evaluate operations and develop and implement corrective action to resolve
problems.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, City officials, other
professionals, other agencies, and the general public.
• Prepare and direct the preparation of accurate statistical and technical reports, budgets,
and correspondence.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, regarding complex or sensitive issues.
• Operate assigned firearms and equipment skillfully, safely, and in conformance with
applicable laws and regulations.
• Analyze and evaluate situations quickly and objectively, recognizing actual and potential
dangers, applying judgment and discretion in resolving problems and interpreting policies
and regulations, acting quickly, calmly, and effectively under emergency and other
situations.
• Review budget requests and monitor efficient use of budget and resources.
• Perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Use a personal computer with associated software, standard office equipment, cellular
telephone, 2-way radio, pager, firearms, department vehicles, and standard law
enforcement officer equipment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Working conditions are varied including:
• Standard office environment with prolonged use of computers.
• Work hours are varied and include 24/7 on call status, fielding calls at all hours of the day,
night, weekend, overtime without notice, often for long periods of time under demanding
conditions, and sometimes being put info life threatening conditions with responsibility for
your own welfare, that of peers, and the community served.
• Occasional attendance at night or weekend meetings, occasional response to emergencies,
and travel out of area may necessitate working more than forty (40) hours per week.
• Though the duties performed by this individual will take place mostly indoors, the individual
will occasionally experience outdoor exposure to adverse weather conditions.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Physical requirements are varied including.
• Minimal physical activity to physical confrontations, fighting, and exercising force against a
combative person.
• Heavy work which requires exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50
pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 25 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job
functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. As every duty associated
with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties
not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may reasonably be considered
incidental in the performing of their duties as though they were included in this job description.