Deputy Police Chief at City of Ashland, OR

About the Department

Serves as a key executive leader within the Police Department, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the Operations Division, including Patrol, Traffic Enforcement, Community Services, and specialized enforcement teams. This position ensures operational effectiveness, public safety responsiveness, and compliance with applicable laws and policies. The Deputy Chief supervises sworn personnel, manages field deployment strategies, serves as Incident Commander during major events, and represents the department in operational matters. This role supports the Chief of Police in executive leadership and assumes full command in their absence.

Position Duties

The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

1. Serves as second-in-command to the Chief of Police, assuming full command during their absence, particularly in matters involving field operations, tactical decision-making, or major incident management; represents the department in operational discussions with city leadership and external agencies.
2. Provides strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight of the Operations Division, including Patrol, Traffic Enforcement, Community Services, and the Concentrated Area Patrol Team; ensures these units are adequately staffed, properly equipped, and consistently aligned with departmental objectives.
3. Supervises and evaluates the performance of subordinate supervisors and sworn officers within the Operations Division; promotes accountability, enforces standards of conduct, and facilitates ongoing professional training and development.
4. Oversees operational readiness, deployment strategies, and daily field assignments; analyzes shift coverage, adjusts staffing levels as needed, and ensures consistent 24/7 service delivery across all neighborhoods and areas of responsibility.
5. Responds to major incidents and emergencies as a command-level officer; serves as Incident Commander during critical events such as shootings, large-scale disturbances, or multi-agency responses, ensuring safety, coordination, and effective resolution.
6. Manages the Area Command Program, engaging directly with residents, businesses, neighborhood associations, and community leaders to identify local safety concerns, build partnerships, and implement targeted enforcement or outreach strategies.
7. Coordinates with other law enforcement and public safety agencies—including county, state, and federal partners—for joint operations, special events, investigations, and mutual aid responses; fosters interagency collaboration and information sharing.
8. Monitors and analyzes crime trends, call volume, and enforcement data to inform operational priorities, support crime prevention strategies, and enhance deployment efficiency; recommends changes to patrol tactics and schedules as needed.
9. Ensures compliance with all applicable laws, constitutional standards, department policies, and procedures during enforcement activities, arrests, use of force, and tactical operations; provides oversight of internal reviews for critical incidents occurring under the Operations Division.
10. Reviews and evaluates use-of-force reports, pursuits, and other high-liability incidents within the division; ensures accurate documentation and initiates follow-up actions as needed in collaboration with command staff.
11. Maintains current knowledge of legal developments, emerging tactics, enforcement technologies, and best practices in modern policing; incorporates innovations to enhance officer safety, response capability, and community service.
12. Participates in executive command staff meetings to provide operational input into department-wide strategic planning, resource allocation, and organizational decision-making.
13. Performs sworn law enforcement duties as needed, including field supervision, special event coverage, and tactical support during high-risk incidents or critical staff shortages.
14. Performs other duties as assigned in furtherance of the department’s mission, vision, and public safety goals.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Police Science, Criminology, Criminal Justice, or related field of study. 
• Eight (8) years of experience as a sworn Law Enforcement Officer.
• Four (4) years of supervisory experience in a law enforcement field.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain and retain, an Oregon Driver’s License with acceptable driving record at the time of employment or within one (1) month of hire date.  
• Possession of, or the ability to obtain within 2 years, a Supervisory certificate issued by DPSST, or equivalent.
• First Aid/AED
• Possession of a LEDS certification, or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Possession of a CJIS certification, or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.
• Must undergo an in depth background investigation which will examine previous employment, previous contacts with police agencies and other aspects of the applicant’s background if an offer of employment is made.

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Police Science or related field.

SUBSTITUTION:

Any satisfactory equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the job proficiently may substitute for the above requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE:

• Principles and practices of modern public administration, including planning, organizing, directing, staffing, budgeting, and controlling.
• Organizational management techniques, including performance measurement, goal setting, work standards development, and strategic planning.
• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive municipal law enforcement agency.
• Criminal law, including laws governing apprehension, arrest, and custody of suspects; rules of evidence related to search and seizure; and proper procedures for preserving evidence in misdemeanor and felony cases.
• Contemporary law enforcement methods, including patrol operations, crime prevention, traffic enforcement, criminal investigations, juvenile delinquency intervention, and community policing.
• Technical and administrative practices related to law enforcement, such as records management, evidence handling, officer deployment, and custodial procedures.
• Internal operations and administrative procedures of a modern police department.
• Principles and practices of program development, implementation, and performance evaluation.
• Principles and techniques of effective supervision, training, mentoring, and employee development.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, regulations, and court decisions relevant to police operations.
• Geography of the City, including major landmarks, streets, and the location of key public and private facilities.
• Principles of hazard and safety management related to law enforcement functions.
• Use and maintenance of firearms, communications systems, and other police equipment.
• Research methods, statistical analysis, and project management techniques applicable to law enforcement planning and policy development.
• Report writing techniques, public records protocols, and administrative documentation best practices.

SKILLS:

• Leading and supervising operational law enforcement teams, including setting priorities and evaluating performance.
• Exercising sound judgment and decision-making under high-pressure or rapidly evolving circumstances.
• Coordinating and managing field operations and critical incidents with clarity, command presence, and strategic focus.
• Effectively communicating policies, expectations, and decisions to staff, leadership, and the public.
• Collaborating with other law enforcement agencies, stakeholders, and community partners.
• Analyzing complex data, identifying operational trends, and developing actionable responses.
• Maintaining discipline, accountability, and professional standards within the Operations Division.
• Leading, motivating, and mentoring supervisory staff and personnel across multiple shifts and divisions.
• Evaluating operations and initiating continuous improvement through policy updates, system improvements, and innovation.
• Developing and managing complex budgets, contracts, and capital planning initiatives.
• Coordinating internal and external communications related to operational logistics and emergency readiness.
• Mediating disputes, resolving personnel issues, and engaging productively with union leadership.
• Using technology and specialized software for inspections, records management, and emergency notifications.

ABILITIES:

• Plan, organize, and direct a broad range of police service functions and programs, ensuring operational effectiveness and legal compliance.
• Lead, assign, supervise, evaluate, and motivate personnel at all levels while fostering teamwork, morale, and accountability.
• Identify employee performance issues and implement appropriate corrective actions or support strategies.
• Conduct and oversee thorough investigations, including interviews and interrogations, and evaluate evidence and findings objectively.
• Analyze complex public safety situations and adopt effective courses of action while maintaining calm under pressure.
• Evaluate, develop, and revise policies and procedures to align with legal standards, operational needs, and best practices.
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and municipal laws, rules, and regulations governing law enforcement.
• Operate department vehicles, radios, firearms, and related police equipment safely and effectively.
• Prepare, review, and present clear, concise, and comprehensive reports, briefings, and recommendations.
• Represent the department and City in meetings with the public, business leaders, partner agencies, and professional organizations.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to support community policing, public outreach, and interagency coordination.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals and groups of varied backgrounds.
• Establish and maintain positive, productive working relationships with department staff, other agencies, and members of the community.
• Lead department initiatives and implement long-term plans in line with agency goals.
• Maintain confidentiality and exhibit the highest levels of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct.

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description 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 or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor.  

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Applicants whose uncorrected vision is worse than 20/100 must wear soft contact lenses to meet the corrected vision requirements of DPSST.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work can have exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting (e.g. business office, light traffic). 
• Work can include contact with individuals who may become violent or combative, who may be under the influence of drugs/alcohol, or who may have communicable diseases.

Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. 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. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Other Qualifications

Please apply ONLINE at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ashlandor

 A completed City application must be filed online with the Human Resources Department before the deadline shown above and may be supplemented with a resume of work experience. Resumes are NOT accepted in lieu of a completed City application. Resumes received without a completed City application will not receive a response from the Human Resources Department.

Following a review of the applications, a limited number of the most highly qualified applicants may be invited via email to proceed further in the selection process. Those not selected for interview will be notified in email (no phone calls please). The applicant selected must provide, at the time of employment, appropriate documentation of citizenship, as required by the immigration and Naturalization Act of 1986.

Per Oregon Revised Statutes 408.225 and 408.230, the City of Ashland grants preference in hiring and promotion of veterans and disabled veterans as defined by state law. If you are eligible and wish to claim Veterans' preference points, please indicate so on your application. Please note that you need to submit documentation of your eligibility at the time of your application.

A thorough background investigation will be completed on the candidate selected for hire.

The City of Ashland is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, national origin or mental or physical disability unless based on a bonafide occupational qualification.

 The City of Ashland will make reasonable accommodations for the disabled.  Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation in the application or testing process MUST inform the Human Resources Department of the City of Ashland, in writing, no later than the final filing date as stated on the job bulletin.  Applicants needing such accommodations should document the request, including an explanation as to the type and extent of accommodations needed to participate in the selection process.