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Police Lieutenant Job Description 2026 Police Lieutenant Updated: 10/2026 Page 1 of 6 CITY OF RIDGEFIELD, WA JOB DESCRIPTION POLICE LIEUTENANT Department: Police Pay Grade: PL FLSA Status: Exempt GENERAL PURPOSE The Police Lieutenant serves as second-in-command of the Police Department and assists the Chief of Police in providing leadership, management, and strategic direction for the department. The Lieutenant plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates assigned operational and administrative functions; develops and supervises personnel; manages department programs and projects; and implements department goals, policies, priorities, and performance expectations. The Lieutenant provides direct leadership to department supervisors and assigned personnel and is responsible for promoting effective, accountable, professional, and community-focused police services. The position exercises substantial independent judgment and decision-making authority and acts as Chief of Police when assigned or in the Chief's absence. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The Police Lieutenant is distinguished from Police Sergeant by a higher level of organizational authority, responsibility, and strategic focus. While sergeants primarily provide first-line supervision of personnel and day-to-day operations, the Lieutenant leads supervisors, manages department-wide or cross-functional programs and systems, translates organizational priorities into operational execution, and is accountable for performance across assigned functions. The Police Lieutenant is distinguished from the Police Chief in that the Chief retains executive responsibility and ultimate accountability for the Police Department, while the Lieutenant manages core operational and administrative responsibilities and carries out delegated command functions. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives general direction from the Chief of Police. Directly supervises sergeants and other personnel as assigned and exercises functional leadership across department programs and projects. Establishes performance expectations; assigns and reviews work; coaches, mentors, develops, and evaluates personnel; addresses performance deficiencies; participates in corrective and disciplinary processes; approves or recommends overtime and resource use within delegated authority; and promotes consistent supervisory practices throughout the department. Police Lieutenant Updated: 10/2026 Page 2 of 6 ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS Essential duties are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills. They summarize the principal functions of the classification. Employees may be assigned other duties reasonably related to the position. Leadership and Department Management • Provides counsel, analysis, and recommendations to the Chief of Police regarding department operations, personnel, organizational performance, emerging issues, and strategic priorities. • Assumes management responsibility for assigned Police Department functions, which may include patrol, investigations, training, professional standards, accreditation, policy, administrative services, special projects, and other programs. • Acts as Chief of Police when assigned or in the Chief's absence and exercises delegated command authority. • Leads, coaches, mentors, and develops sergeants and other personnel; establishes clear performance expectations; promotes supervisory consistency and accountability; identifies emerging leaders; and supports succession planning. • Participates in recruitment, selection, assignment, evaluation, recognition, corrective action, discipline, and other personnel processes consistent with City policy, collective bargaining agreements, Civil Service requirements, and applicable law. • Promotes a professional, collaborative, learning-oriented work environment characterized by integrity, accountability, service, respectful communication, and effective teamwork. Operations, Staffing, and Performance • Plans, organizes, coordinates, directs, and evaluates assigned law enforcement operations and administrative functions to ensure effective and efficient service delivery. • Analyzes calls for service, workload, staffing, overtime, deployment, service demand, operational outcomes, and other performance information; identifies trends and recommends adjustments to staffing, schedules, resource allocation, and service-delivery strategies. • Establishes and monitors goals, objectives, work plans, performance measures, and service expectations for assigned programs and functions. • Reviews significant incidents, reports, use-of-force documentation, arrests, investigations, and other work products as appropriate to ensure quality, legal sufficiency, policy compliance, accountability, and organizational learning. • Responds to and assumes command or supervisory responsibility for major incidents, critical events, significant investigations, tactical operations, emergencies, and other complex police operations; coordinates command, resources, notifications, and interagency response as appropriate. Policy, Accreditation, Compliance, and Organizational Improvement • Develops, reviews, implements, and evaluates policies, procedures, performance standards, and organizational practices to maintain compliance with federal and state law, City requirements, professional standards, and department goals. • Oversees or coordinates assigned accreditation, policy, regulatory compliance, and organizational improvement initiatives; establishes systems to maintain required documentation, proofs of compliance, audits, reviews, and corrective actions. • Evaluates department practices and systems, identifies gaps or risks, and develops and implements corrective actions and process improvements. Police Lieutenant Updated: 10/2026 Page 3 of 6 • Conducts or supervises internal administrative investigations, complaint reviews, and other sensitive inquiries as assigned; analyzes information and makes appropriate findings or recommendations within delegated authority. Training, Employee Development, and Succession Planning • Assesses department and individual training needs; develops, coordinates, and evaluates training plans and programs; ensures compliance with mandatory training and certification requirements. • Coordinates training with City departments, regional partners, emergency management, criminal justice agencies, and other service providers as appropriate. • Provides leadership for field training and other employee-development programs and promotes meaningful developmental assignments, coaching, mentoring, and career growth. • Develops supervisory capability and organizational depth by identifying development needs, creating opportunities for growth, and supporting succession planning for key department responsibilities. Budget, Resources, Technology, and Project Management • Assists the Chief in development and administration of the department budget; prepares and evaluates budget requests and cost estimates; monitors expenditures; evaluates operational and fiscal impacts of proposed programs, staffing, equipment, and services; and promotes responsible stewardship of City resources. • Leads complex department projects and organizational initiatives; establishes project scope, objectives, responsibilities, timelines, performance measures, and reporting mechanisms; coordinates work involving multiple City departments, outside agencies, vendors, and community partners. • Identifies opportunities to improve effectiveness, efficiency, accountability, and service delivery through technology, data analysis, process improvement, regional partnerships, and evidence- informed practices. • Develops and maintains systems, records, statistical information, analytical reports, and other documentation necessary to evaluate and manage assigned operations. Community, Intergovernmental, and Organizational Relationships • Represents the Police Department with City departments, elected and appointed officials, community organizations, schools, businesses, criminal justice partners, regional committees, and other governmental agencies as assigned. • Builds and maintains productive relationships with community members and partners; identifies community public-safety concerns and develops collaborative responses consistent with department priorities and available resources. • Responds to and resolves difficult or sensitive inquiries, complaints, and service concerns with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment. • Prepares and presents staff reports, briefings, public presentations, correspondence, and other communications; communicates complex or sensitive information clearly and appropriately. • Coordinates task forces, mutual-aid activities, and other cooperative law-enforcement efforts as assigned and maintains effective regional partnerships. • Works constructively with labor representatives and employees on workplace issues and applies applicable collective bargaining agreements, City policies, and personnel practices. Commissioned Law Enforcement Responsibilities • Maintains full authority and capability as a commissioned peace officer and performs law enforcement duties as necessary. Police Lieutenant Updated: 10/2026 Page 4 of 6 • Exercises lawful arrest authority and uses force when objectively reasonable and necessary, consistent with law, training, and department policy. • Operates emergency vehicles, firearms, communications equipment, and other law-enforcement equipment safely and competently. • Provides command, direction, support, and assistance to personnel during hazardous, complex, or rapidly evolving incidents. LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES • Integrity and Accountability: Models ethical conduct, accepts responsibility, establishes clear expectations, and addresses performance or conduct concerns appropriately. • Leadership and Development: Builds capable teams; coaches, mentors, delegates, develops supervisors, and creates opportunities for employee growth. • Judgment and Decision-Making: Makes timely, reasoned decisions under routine, ambiguous, sensitive, and critical circumstances and appropriately communicates the basis for decisions. • Strategic and Organizational Thinking: Understands how staffing, policy, training, budget, technology, community expectations, and organizational systems interact and translates department priorities into executable plans. • Communication and Relationships: Communicates effectively with employees, labor representatives, City leadership, elected officials, partner agencies, community members, and the media; handles conflict and difficult conversations constructively. • Continuous Improvement: Uses data, evaluation, employee input, community feedback, and professional practices to identify problems and improve organizational performance. • Community Leadership: Builds trust and productive relationships and ensures police services are responsive to community needs while maintaining professional independence and equitable service. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS Any combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies required to perform the position may be qualifying, subject to applicable Civil Service Rules and Regulations. • High school diploma or equivalent. • Three (3) years of progressively responsible full-time commissioned law enforcement supervisory experience at the rank of police sergeant or equivalent supervisory rank. • Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public administration, organizational leadership, business administration, or a related field is preferred. Relevant advanced education, command or leadership training, and progressively responsible experience are desirable. • Must meet all eligibility and promotional requirements established by the City of Ridgefield Civil Service Rules and Regulations. Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements • Possession of a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record. • United States citizen or lawful permanent resident as required by Washington law. • Current Washington peace officer certification, or ability to obtain Washington certification through the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission equivalency process if eligible. • Possession of, or ability to obtain within the period required by the City and WSCJTC, applicable career-level certification for a middle-management law enforcement position. Police Lieutenant Updated: 10/2026 Page 5 of 6 • Must successfully complete any background investigation, psychological evaluation, medical examination, and other employment requirements applicable to the position. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES Knowledge of: • Principles and practices of contemporary police administration, patrol operations, criminal investigations, professional standards, and critical-incident management. • Leadership, supervision, employee development, performance management, succession planning, organizational behavior, conflict resolution, and labor relations. • Federal, state, and local laws; court decisions; regulations; City ordinances; and professional standards applicable to police services. • Policy development, accreditation and compliance systems, administrative investigations, risk management, and organizational accountability. • Public-sector budgeting, expenditure control, purchasing, resource allocation, and fiscal stewardship. • Strategic planning, project management, performance measurement, data analysis, workload and staffing analysis, and continuous improvement. • Community engagement, intergovernmental relations, media relations, and principles of effective public communication. • Modern law-enforcement technology, information systems, records and data practices, and office productivity software. Ability to: • Lead through other supervisors and establish clear expectations, accountability, and consistent supervisory practices. • Analyze complex operational, personnel, financial, policy, and organizational issues and develop practical, defensible recommendations. • Plan, organize, prioritize, delegate, and evaluate multiple programs, projects, and operational responsibilities. • Use data and other evidence to evaluate police services, workload, staffing, deployment, performance, and resource needs. • Develop and administer plans, policies, procedures, budgets, training programs, projects, and organizational improvement initiatives. • Exercise independent judgment and make sound decisions under conditions of ambiguity, urgency, conflict, or significant public scrutiny. • Communicate effectively verbally and in writing, including preparing executive memoranda, analytical reports, presentations, and sensitive correspondence. • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, labor representatives, City staff and officials, partner agencies, community members, and the media. • Facilitate difficult conversations, resolve conflict, negotiate constructively, and address sensitive personnel and community concerns. • Command and coordinate complex or critical police incidents and work effectively within incident-command and interagency structures. • Interpret and apply laws, policies, procedures, collective bargaining agreements, Civil Service requirements, and professional standards. • Operate required law-enforcement equipment safely and maintain the physical and professional capabilities necessary to serve as a commissioned peace officer. • Perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. Police Lieutenant Updated: 10/2026 Page 6 of 6 WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS Work is performed in office, community, and field environments. The position requires substantial computer and administrative work as well as periodic exposure to the hazards, adverse weather, stressful situations, communicable diseases, hostile or dangerous persons, emergency driving, and other conditions associated with commissioned law enforcement. Work hours may vary and may include evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, meetings outside normal business hours, extended work periods, emergency call-outs, and on-call availability as assigned. The Lieutenant may be required to respond to significant incidents and assume command responsibilities with limited notice. The position requires the physical ability to perform commissioned law-enforcement duties, including but not limited to; exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 25 pounds of force constantly, standing, walking, sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling equipment, operating vehicles and firearms, and using reasonable physical force when required. The employee must possess sufficient vision, hearing, communication ability, strength, stamina, coordination, and mobility to safely perform the essential functions of the position. 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. 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.