Under direction of the Chief of Police, manages, plans, directs, and coordinates the Police Department’s Administration Division which includes Communications, Records, Youth Services, Crime Analysis and Information Systems; prepares and administers the Department’s budget and grant acquisition; serves as a member of the Police Department Management Team; researches and prepares staff reports; develop, implements, and evaluates the Administrations systems and procedures; performs other related duties as required.
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
•Under direction, manages, plans, directs, and coordinates the Police Department’s Administration Division which includes Communications, Records, Youth Services, Crime Analysis and Information Systems; prepares and administers the Department’s budget and grant acquisition; serves as a member of the Police Department Management Team; researches and prepares staff reports; develop, implements, and evaluates the Administrations systems and procedures; performs other related duties as required;
•Supervises, plans, directs, and coordinates all assigned Police Department personnel; conducts research into a variety of law enforcement and administrative issues; develops, implements and reviews operating procedures; ensures that activities/actions are conducted in accordance with related laws, ordinances, regulations, and policies;
•Oversees and maintains all department supplies; makes purchases; plans and coordinates equipment installations; administers all Police Department service contracts; ensures that the systems are maintained and operated efficiently and economically;
•Prepares and administers the Police Department’s budget; researches and develops new procedures and proposals; prepares directives , which outline these procedures; participates in the development of department goals and objectives and policies;
•Prepare and oversee grant proposals; Monitor and administer all police grants;
•Manage all aspects of the Youth Services Division, including Police Activities League (PAL), Teen Academy, LEADS, and Junior LEAD’S;
•Oversee the appointment process of all personnel; coordinate and manage compliance of all staff training; Review and implement best practices regarding personnel training that is efficient, effective, and fiscally responsible;
•Answers questions from the public by phone or in person; advises and provides liaison to other departmental staff, other City Departments, other agencies, and the public regarding responsible areas;
•Meets and consults with management staff, the public, legal advisors, and representatives of other governmental agencies; coordinates activities with other law enforcement agencies;
•Establishes positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public;
•May make presentations to City Council, other governmental agencies, and a variety of civic organizations as directed by the Chief of Police;
•May be exposed to confidential and privileged information during the course of duties, which shall be maintained as such;
•Maintain the confidentiality of privileged information which he/she may be exposed to during the course or duties;
•Established positive working relationships with representatives of community organizations, state/local agencies and associations, City management and staff, and the public;
•Assumes responsibility for ensuring the duties of this position are performed in a safe, efficient manner;
•Performs other related duties as assigned or as situations require.
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.
Knowledge of:
•Modern principles and practices of municipal criminal justice systems;
•Organization and functions of a municipal law enforcement agency;
•Principles and practices of law enforcement records management;
•Principles and practices of program and budget development, administration, and evaluation;
•Modern law enforcement communications techniques and equipment;
•Automated law enforcement information systems and procedures;
•Methods and techniques of supervision, training, and motivation;
•Basic principles of mathematics;
•Applicable federal, state and local laws, codes, and regulations;
•Methods and techniques of scheduling work assignments;
•Standard office procedures, practices, and equipment;
•Modern office practices, methods, and equipment, including a computer and applicable software;
•Methods and techniques for record keeping, report preparation, and writing;
•Proper English, spelling, and grammar;
•Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
Skills:
•Operate an office computer and a variety of word processing and software applications.
Ability to:
•Administer Police Department divisions;
•Interpret and explain laws, regulations, and rules, as well as departmental policy and procedures;
•Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the work of subordinate staff;
•Supervise and participate in the establishment of departmental goals, objectives, and methods for evaluating achievement and performance levels;
•Analyze complex law enforcement issues, evaluate alternative,s and reach sound conclusions;
•Make adjustments to standard operating procedures as necessary to improve organizational effectiveness;
•Develop and implement plans for law enforcement services;
•Interpret and explain laws, regulations, rules, and departmental policies and procedures;
•Maintain appropriate flow of communication and chain of command;
•Identify and inform superiors of sensitive issues/situations;
•Supervise, train, and motivate assigned staff;
•Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations;
•Work flexible hours, including weekends and split shifts;
•Apply applicable laws, codes, and regulations;
•Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
•Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Education and Experience Guidelines – Any combination of equivalent education, training, and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Education/Training:
•A Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university. A Master’s degree in Public or Business Administration or a closely related field is desirable.
Experience:
•Five (5) years or more of responsible administrative or management experience involving police records management, grants administration, records, communication, crime analysis, and budget preparation and analysis.
License or Certificates:
•A valid California Class C Driver’s License.
Physical Requirements:
•Must meet approved physical and pre-placement medical standards for the position.
Bilingual Pay:
•Employees who qualify and are certified to speak Spanish may be eligible to receive bilingual pay.
APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:
Applications must be filed online only.
Martin Rivera
The City of Huntington Park was founded in 1906 and from its inception, has had its own Municipal Police Department. Originally a one man department with a City Marshal, the department grew as did the City. Following World War I, the size of the department increased to a Marshal and four deputies. The new deputies wore their Army uniforms as police uniforms.
Our Policemen remained deputies until 1932. The title “Deputy” was changed to “Policemen” in 1933. Following the Long Beach Earthquake of 1933 (where many buildings in Huntington Park were damaged), the Huntington Park Police Department was built on the southwest corner of Gage Avenue and Pacific Blvd.
During this period, the majority of the police officers in the Department were motorcycle traffic officers. Their uniforms were tan, while the regular Patrol Officers began wearing blue. When a motorcycle officer was hired on, he was issued a badge and a hat badge. He provided his weapon, uniform, and motorcycle.
Police cars did not have police radios, so several “Police Call Boxes” were positioned around the City. Whenever the station received a call for assistance, the Police Operator would activate a red light which was atop several tall towers throughout the City. The Policemen on patrol would need to routinely look for the tower light, and when seeing the light, they would call the station from one of the many call boxes.
This system was discontinued in the mid-1940s when the Department was equipped with car radios and a main station radio. However, the call boxes remained until the mid-1970s.
During World War II, many of our Policemen volunteered for Military Service. The Department supplemented the patrol force and the Civil Defense Force with Home Volunteers. These Volunteers wore a “Reserve Police” armband over their civilian clothing while serving their assignments.
In 1943, the Huntington Park Police began wearing Police Patches on their uniform shirts. The Patrol Officer’s patch depicted “Electrical Bolts,” representing the newly equipped police cars with radios. The Motorcycle Officer’s patch depicted the “Winged Wheel” of the motor officer. Following World War II, the department retained many of the wartime volunteers and trained them as Reserve Officers.
The Reserve Officers were issued their own style of badge; they wore the same patch as the regular officers. The new Civic Center was built in 1950, and while the Police Facility was being completed the following year, the temporary Police Department was installed in the basement of City Hall. The jail cells are still in the basement of City Hall today.
The Police “Justice Building” was opened in 1951. This building contained the Police Department, Jail, District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Officer, and a Court Room.
To coincide with moving into a new Police Facility, the department issued new police patches, a new badge, and new uniform regulations.
Dark blue long-sleeve shirts were worn from October 1st until May 1st. The summer uniform was a short-sleeved light blue shirt. The patches are the same design as are worn today.
In 1976, an order was made for additional patches, and a numbering error resulted in a light blue police patch. These patches were issued as replacement patches for the summer uniform. However, they were not well received by the officers ironically, and soon afterward, the Huntington Park Police Officers Association convinced the Chief to discontinue the light blue shirts.
In 1980-1981, a general nationwide trend was to discontinue the separation of “Policemen” and “Police Women.” All titles were changed to “Police Officer.” Because of this change in badge titles, a new style badge was ordered for all personnel.
In 1991, the Huntington Park Police Officers Association desired to design a new badge highlighting the Police Facility. With the chief's approval, the Association designed, produced, and bought the initial order of badges that we wear today.
In 1992, the country of Lithuania, which had only been free of Soviet occupation for two years, invited Lieutenant Michael Gwaltney and Sergeant Tom Weselis to visit, lecture, and critique their new Police Academy and Police Operations. These two Huntington Park Officers were the first American Police Officers to be invited by the Lithuanian Government to provide this service.