MONTGOMERY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Code No. 7917
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND (Non-Merit)

CLASS SPECIFICATION

DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF POLICE

DEFINITION OF CLASS:

This is executive level work directing the operation of the Department of Police. Contacts are with high ranking legislative and executive officials within County Government, officials of equivalent rank in other governmental jurisdictions, and private sector and community organizations or groups. The purposes of the contacts include presenting, justifying and defending controversial positions where conflicting and opposing viewpoints, goals and objectives are strongly advocated and must be reconciled to develop suitable alternatives or arrive at acceptable compromises.

The employee in this class plans, develops, implements, and evaluates overall County police policies and programs by directing subordinate officers to: protect life and property; preserve peace and order; prevent and detect crime; arrest violators of the law; enforce all laws and ordinances; and promote the safe and efficient use of streets, highways and public thorough fares. The work is performed under broadly defined missions and functions and general administrative direction with little technical guidance. The employee exercises full and final accountability for all matters associated with completing work assignments including determining the work to be performed and the methods used. Results of the work are considered technically authoritative and evaluated in terms of the law enforcement system's role in promoting a safe and orderly environment. Guidelines consist of broad policy directives and basic legislation and require the employee to use considerable judgment in interpreting the intent of the guidelines and generating specific policies and guidance for use by subordinate officers in developing various components of the overall law enforcement system. The complexity of the work is reflected in the need for planning, directing and integrating a broad range of police functions, programs and services. The work requires consideration of public safety, societal, and community relations issues and impacts, and development of solutions that accommodate conflicting objectives from a variety of organizations, groups and individuals. The work of directing the law enforcement program is essential to the mission of the County Government and affects the lives and property of all County residents. The work is primarily sedentary, performed in a typical office setting, and subject to common everyday risks.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)

Consults with the Chief Administrative Officer and, with the assistance of subordinate supervising personnel, formulates policies and regulations governing activities of the Department of Police.
Plans, directs and supervises the enforcement of laws and ordinances for the protection of life and property.
Represents the interest of County Government and police administration in negotiating a collective bargaining agreement between the Fraternal Order of Police and the Montgomery County Government.
Controls the expenditure of Department appropriations and prepares annual budget estimates of needs.
Cooperates with State and Federal law enforcement in the detection, apprehension, and detention of wanted persons and with other agencies where activities of the Department are involved.
Represents the Department as primary public relations agent and authoritative spokesperson in public forums and governmental functions.
Reviews discipline problems within the Department and is the final authority on appropriate department response.
Reviews and resolves, when possible, all appeals or grievances within the Department.
Performs other related duties as required.

RECOMMENDED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience: Extensive (7 years) experience in police administration work with at least four (4) years in a managerial or supervisory capacity which included responsibility for fund and budget administration, program planning, implementation and administration. The applicant shall have served as a professionally qualified and experienced police officer and preferably held a position equivalent to the rank of Major, Lieutenant Colonel or Colonel with a major police department, (i.e., one having a minimum of 500 sworn personnel).
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in Law Enforcement, Public Administration or a related field.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of modern police administration.
Extensive, substantive and working knowledge of the Law Enforcement Officers' Bill of Rights or the demonstrated ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge.
Extensive knowledge of operational, programmatic, and fiscal planning theory and strategies as applicable to police operations and management and of organizational and personnel development theory and strategies.
Extensive knowledge of Maryland criminal and procedural law and of Maryland traffic laws or the demonstrated ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge.
Knowledge of the functions and authority of local, State, and Federal law enforcement jurisdictions.
Skill in planning, supervising, and administering the work of a large number of subordinates performing varied operations connected with police activities and to develop proper training and instructional procedures for these employees.
Skill in oral and written communication sufficient to develop defenses or justifications of decisions reached.
Skill in establishing and maintaining working relationships with other County officials, State and Federal authorities, civic leaders and the general public.
Skill in negotiating agreements which accommodate the conflicting interests and viewpoints of numerous groups or organizations.
Ability to attend meetings or perform other assignments at locations outside the office.

LICENSE: None.

MEDICAL GROUP: Medical History Review (optional Core I exam).

Class Established: February, 1971
Revised: September, 1975
November, 1976
July, 1987
December, 2002