CLASS TITLE:  Commander – Police Support Services

ACCOUNTABLE TO:  Chief of Police

FLSA STATUS:  Exempt

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF POSITION:  The Police Support Services Commander is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing daily operations of assigned divisions, managing personnel within the chain of command, and ensuring the effective delivery of law enforcement services. The Support Services Commander plays a critical role in shaping and revising departmental strategy, redevelopment of departmental service for the future, maintaining public safety, and fostering community trust. The Support Services Commander works with the Patrol Division Commander to provide valuable input in the redevelopment of the Lamar Police Department and assists in implementing goals and objectives for the Chief of Police. This position answers directly to the Chief of Police in line with the Patrol Division Commander.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: -- Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Direct and supervise division operations, including investigations, records division, professional standards, and internal affairs, along with specialized units to include future area drug task force and tactical specialized units.
2. Develop and implement policies, procedures, and strategic plans aligned with departmental goals and as directed by the Chief of Police.
3. Manage budgets, resources, and staffing to ensure efficient service delivery.
4. Provide leadership, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for officers and staff.
5. Coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies on public safety initiatives.
6. Represent the department in community meetings, public forums, and media engagements as tasked by the Chief of Police.
7. Ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and departmental standards.
8. Oversee critical incident response and emergency management operations in partnership with the Patrol Division Commander.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Public Administration, or related field. The Chief of Police at their discretion ,may choose to waive this qualification if an individual has sufficient life experience and years of service.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive law enforcement experience, including minimum of 5 years supervisory roles.
• Strong knowledge of modern policing practices, community-oriented problem-solving policing, and crime prevention strategies.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and decision-making skills. Demonstrated Integrity, Honesty, and Leadership in difficult decision making.
• Valid Colorado driver’s license and Colorado POST certification.
• Ability to assume the role of Chief of Police when or as requested in the chief’s absence.

SUPERVISION – RESPONSIBILITY FOR WORK OF OTHERS: Responsible for departmental supervision of police officials and clerical employees.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Police Car, police radio, first aid equipment, personal computer including word processing software, telephone, calculator, copy machine, fax machine and other departmental equipment as necessary.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Position requires moderate physical involvement; primary responsibilities for this position will take place either in a standard office environment or outdoors; position involves walking and standing.  Duties are occasionally performed in undesirable physical conditions; hazards are minimal to extreme and require quick decisions, care, use of proper safety equipment and procedures are required to prevent injury and protect the public.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tolls listed above; reach with hands and arms; climb and balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl; and taste and smell.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions.  The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration.  It may be expected that the individual could be exposed to blood or other potential infectious materials during the course of their duties.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. 

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Core Competencies:  The Police Support Services Commander must possess or work to attain the following six core competencies:  1) Service Excellence, 2) Personal Contribution and Growth, 3) Initiative, 4) Teamwork, 5) Personal and Organizational Integrity, and 6) Respect as outlined in the Police Officer Performance Evaluation Form.  

Knowledge of:

• City policies and procedures.
• Current local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Methods of inspection, investigation, and evidence gathering.
• Department’s organization, policies, and procedures.
• Basic accounting and budgeting principles and practices.
• Principles and practices of administrative management.
• Principles and practices of effective employee supervision.
• Principles and practices of project management.

Skill in:

• Assessing, analyzing, identifying, and implementing solutions to complex problems.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with subordinates, other City staff, City Council, other law enforcement agencies, and the general public.
• Preparing various reports.
• Operating a personal computer and various software applications.
• Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Using firearms and operating various law enforcement vehicles and equipment.
• Performing emergency first aid and CPR.