Chief of Police

The City of Sun Prairie is seeking an experienced and visionary leader to serve as our Chief of Police. This sworn management position, is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating the entire operation of the Police Department. The Chief ensures that our community receives prompt and effective emergency and non-emergency police services. Under the direction of the City Administrator, the Chief of Police is expected to drive innovative problem-solving initiatives and uphold the highest standards of professional leadership.

View the recruitment bulletin for more details about the Sun Prairie community, position and benefits. The starting salary for this position is $146,696 - $155,675, determined by experience and qualifications. The maximum of the current pay range is $168,545, with a 2% increase, if the start date is before April 1, 2025. 

**Applicants should attach a cover letter, resume, and at least three professional references.**

This position will remain open until filled.

Essential Job Functions

• • Organizes and directs the administration of the services and programs provided by the Police Department.
  • Develops long term objectives designed to maintain the continued protection of life and property in the community.
  • Ensures that the department is properly staffed according to established policy and the approved budget. 
  • Develop and implement trust-based policing practices involving personnel, training, policy, oversight, and outreach activities.
  • Maintain positive and productive relationships with a wide variety of external stakeholders and internal staff.
  • Reviews the department’s annual training programs to ensure that department personnel receive the proper training.
  • Recommends the promotion, demotion, dismissal, and other disciplinary action of departmental personnel.
  • Recommends the hiring of all civilian personnel in the department.
  • Evaluates the performance of immediate subordinates and directs/oversees the performance evaluation of other department personnel. 
  • Works with residents and citizen groups to resolve community related problems. Develops and maintains a positive police image in the community.
  • Provides information and responds to inquiries submitted by the news media.
  • Serves as a liaison between the Police and Fire Commission and City Administrator/Mayor.
  • Prepare, present, and implement the annual department budget.

Requirements of Work

• Must be or have the ability to become a Law Enforcement Officer by the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Training Standards Board within 6 months of employment.
• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, police science, business, public administration, or related field (master's degree preferred).
• Five years of progressively responsible supervisory experience in police or military, lieutenant or higher preferred.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Wisconsin Driver’s License.
• Must report to work outside of normal schedule within 30 minutes, as necessary.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices and methods of municipal police administration, organization and operation.
• Employer/employee labor relations and regulations.
• Resources essential to research of legal questions and problems.
• Operating procedures of police and limitations upon departmental authority.
• Municipal county, state and federal criminal and related laws, ordinances, and code.
• Developing and implementing annual Police Department budget.
• Principles and procedures of effective supervision and management practices.

Ability to:

• Think strategically, and to develop a vision for the department that is consistent with the organization's values.
• Resolve department leadership-level internal/external complaints in a professional and timely manner. 
• Communicate professionally, with tact, discretion, and diplomacy verbally, in writing, and in presentations.
• Analyze Police Department problems and deficiencies. Develop constructive policies, plans, and procedures to resolve those problems.
• Establish and maintain positive working relationships, and foster an environment of respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion; and fully supports the City's guiding principles.
• Analyze the community's law enforcement needs and implement plans to satisfy the community's needs.
• Express good judgment in evaluating situations and critical decisions that may impact the financial, or public relations posture of the organization.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with other public officials, department members, and general public. 
• Work collaboratively with the executive leadership team to assist with the development, implementation of the City's vision, and strategic priorities.

Skill in:

• • Planning, organizing, assigning, coordinating, supervising, and inspecting the work of varied police divisions.         
  • Using computer equipment and software to write reports, prepare communications, and other narratives.
  • Exercise executive-level interpersonal, leadership, planning and management skills. Provide a collaborative work environment for subordinate managers. Assist in identifying strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities; and remove barriers to success.

Other Job Functions

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform 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 is frequently required to sit, talk and hear.  The employee is required to stand, walk, run, use fingers to handle or operate objects, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch.
• The employee is exposed to severe weather while performing tasks.
• The employee is exposed to many unknown conditions, including possible hazardous sites, dust, odors, noise, vibrations, and dangerous or violent.
• The employee is frequent exposed to life-threatening situations.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds.
• Specific vision ability required by this job includes close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Some work is performed in an office setting; hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment.

The above is intended to describe the general content of the requirements for the performance of this job.  It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.

The City of Sun Prairie is committed to advancing equity, honoring our diverse identity, and creating an inclusive culture.  These serve as our guiding principles every day in all that we do.  Keep us accountable to this mission and join us in this commitment to a thriving Sun Prairie, as you live, work, and play.  If you need an accommodation during the hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 608-825-1174 or [email protected].