JOB SUMMARY

A Captain is a non-exempt position that reports directly to the Assistant Chief of Police and serves as a division commander responsible for a wide range of operational, administrative, and specialized assignments. Captains may be assigned to lead and division, or major functional area within the department based on organizational needs. This role involves resolving complex technical problems when necessary and formulating department policies and procedures.

Key duties include assisting in planning, staffing, and directing police activities; coordinating and administering the departmental budget; conducting administrative studies to address management issues and concerns; developing programs to correct operational deficiencies effectively; investigating citizen complaints regarding police conduct and services; assisting with the planning and execution of Town special events; and making recommendations related to officer performance and disciplinary matters.

The Captain oversees day-to-day operations within their assigned division and provides leadership to supervisory staff, including Lieutenants, Sergeants, and other personnel as designed. Additionally, a Captain should be motivated to embrace new challenges, develop creative solutions, and take pride in their work. Captains must demonstrate a strong commitment to the Department's Mission and Vision Statements, Strategic Plan, and uphold the Town of Little Elm's Core Values of Integrity, Customer Service, Efficiency, and Innovation.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must meet one of the following at the time of this job posting:

1. Eight (8) years of sworn law enforcement experience, including a minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience, with Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Police Science, Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or closely related field to public sector leadership.  
2. Supervisory experience must include direct oversight of sworn and/or civilian personnel at the rank of Sergeant or higher with responsibility for Individual Development Plans (evaluations), recommendations for discipline, and operational decision-making.

LICENSES OR CERTIFICATES

Applicants must meet all listed license/certifications requirements at the time of this job posting.

1. Master Peace Officer Certification from TCOLE (required).
2. Completion of NIMS/ICS courses 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 (required).
3. Successful completion of a recognized advanced law enforcement leadership program, such as:

• ILEA School of Police Supervision, TPCA Developing Leaders for Texas Law Enforcement, Northwestern School of Police Staff & Command, LEMIT Leadership Command College, ICPA Leadership in Police Organizations (LPO), or FBI LEEDA Trilogy Series, FBI National Academy, (or acceptable equivalent)

Preferred:

1. Certified Public Manager
2. Advanced supervisory or leadership certifications
3. Experience in internal affairs or professional standards oversight
4. Experience in Tactical Operations Leadership
5. Experience as Field Training Coordinator

LANGUAGE SKILLS

1. Must be able to speak, read, and write the English language.

OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES

1. Knowledge and skill in Microsoft products to include Excel.

Preferred:

1. Proficiency in ICS records management systems.
2. Proficiency in Axon video systems.
3. Proficiency in Questica budget software.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Command and Operational Leadership

1. Directs assigned division operations, ensuring compliance with departmental policies, Town ordinances, and state and federal laws.
2. Supervises Lieutenants, Sergeants, and assigned personnel within the division.
3. Evaluates operational effectiveness and implements corrective measures where necessary.
4. Ensures consistent enforcement of professional standards and accountability.
5. Serves in an incident command or in another ICS command or general staff role for large-scale events, emergencies, and special operations, as assigned.
6. Develop operational and staffing plans for major incidents, planned operations, and Town special events.

Personnel Management

1. Provides direct supervision and performance oversight of subordinate supervisors.
2. Conducts evaluations, reviews disciplinary actions, and ensures fair, consistent policy application.
3. Makes recommendations regarding hiring, promotions, transfers, and discipline.
4. Develops succession planning strategies within the division.
5. Ensures compliance with employment law, due process, and constitutional protections.

Risk Management and Compliance

1. Ensures timely reporting and documentation of incidents, injuries, use-of-force events, and other compliance-related matters.
2. Identifies and mitigates potential liability risks to the Town.
3. Oversees compliance with workers’ compensation procedures and reporting standards.
4. Ensures adherence to accreditation and best practice standards, when applicable.
5. Reviews administrative investigations and internal reviews, as assigned.

Strategic Planning and Organizational Development

1. Participates in long-range strategic planning initiatives.
2. Develops and implements divisional goals aligned with departmental objectives.
3. Uses data analysis to evaluate staffing, resource allocation, and operational efficiency.
4. Reviews crime trends, performance metrics, and service demand to inform decision-making.
5. Integrate operational planning and event-specific risk assessments into divisional and departmental planning operations.

Fiscal Oversight

1. Develops, manages, monitors assigned divisional budget.
2. Ensures fiscal responsibility and compliance with Town purchasing policies.
3. Make recommendations regarding capital improvements and resource acquisition.

Community and Intergovernmental Relations

1. Represents the Department in meetings with Town leadership, community groups, and external agencies.
2. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with Town officials, public safety partners, and community stakeholders.
3. Acts as liaison for assigned special programs or initiatives.

Physical:

 Attends meetings and observes, inspects or monitors the behavior of office or field personnel to determine and maintain compliance with departmental policies and procedures. Maintains the ability to perform all duties of a Police Officer including making arrests and firing a weapon. Operates a motor vehicle to attend meetings and conduct presentations, respond to crime scenes and travel. (see PHYSICAL DEMANDS­ PATROL OFFICER). KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

1. Modern police administration and leadership principles
2. Public sector management and governmental organization
3. Budget preparation and fiscal oversight
4. Constitutional, civil liability, and employment law
5. Departmental policies and administrative procedures
6. Risk mitigation and compliance standards
7. Data analysis and performance management methodologies

Ability to:

1. Plan, organize, and direct divisional operations
2. Analyze complex administrative and operational issues
3. Make fair, consistent, and legally defensible disciplinary recommendations.
4. Develop effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
5. Communicate clearly in written and verbal formats
6. Act decisively during emergencies and critical incidents
7. Serve as Acting Chief of Police when designated

PHYSICAL DEMANDS -PATROL OFFICER

A captain must possess, at a minimum, all of the qualifications and physical abilities of a police officer in the Patrol Division.

Range of Motion/Flexibility: A patrol officer must: Be able to move rapidly from a sedentary to active position in response to emergency conditions or perceived deadly force encounters. Have the flexibility to rapidly assume a variety of positions to employ "cover and concealment" during emergency circumstances or perceived deadly force encounters. Possess the necessary range of motion to overcome or respond to physical attack or effectively disengage an attacker or escape and summon aid. Possess the quickness to be able to run short distances in order to escape danger, retreat from attack or take over or chase suspects on foot for short and long distances.

Manual Dexterity/Motor Skills: A patrol officer must: Have the dexterity to be proficient in the use of their firearms and other defensive tactics equipment such as the baton, handcuffs, pepper spray, etc. Possess the ability to operate all the equipment and tools necessary to perform the job tasks such as computers, mobile and portable radios, vehicles, sirens, tape recorders, mobile data terminals, video and audio equipment.

Aerobic Endurance: A patrol officer must: Possess the ability to engage in foot pursuits of suspects without inordinate endangerment to themselves or others. They must also possess the endurance to overcome physical resistance after foot pursuits. Be able to remain on the job performing essential duties for a period up to sixteen (16) consecutive hours without relief.

Sight and Visual Activity: A patrol officer must: Be able to discern the various colors and not have any color blindness that could prove a risk to himself or others. Possess adequate depth perception to judge distances and estimate speed. Possess adequate night vision that will permit the safe operation of motor vehicles, use of firearms, and allow identification of dangerous obstacles, or people in conditions of darkness. Possess adequate peripheral vision to allow the safe operation of vehicles, especially in pursuit driving and to detect danger in a variety of environments.

Hearing: A patrol officer must: Possess the ability to hear adequately over mobile and handheld radios as well as the telephone. Be able to determine the point of origin of noises or sounds as during building or area searches for example. Be able to identify different types of sound.

Smell: A patrol officer must possess the ability to smell smoke, electrical hazards, and different types of fumes, toxic or otherwise.
 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

In carrying out the duties of a Captain of Police, one can be expected to routinely encounter the following approximations with regard to exposure and conditions:

• Routine work indoors 75% of the job.
• Routine work outdoors 25% of the job.

This position requires availability for emergency callback, after-hours responsibilities, and extended hours during critical incidents or special events.
 

E.O.E. The Town of Little Elm does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability or military service in employment or the provision of services.