The City of Oak Ridge is seeking an extremely qualified individual of the highest integrity to become its new Police Chief and to replace the current Chief who is retiring after almost seventeen years of service in that role. The City Manager is seeking an experienced team player to provide leadership and management to the Police Department and to interact effectively with an enlightened and involved citizenry.  

Qualifications for the Oak Ridge Police Chief position include a Bachelor=s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Management or a related field; ability to be certified by the Tennessee POST Commission within 6 months of hire; ability to obtain a valid Tennessee driver=s license; and shows evidence of continued professional development through participation in professional association activities at the state and national levels and attendance at seminars and workshops in the law enforcement management field to stay abreast of changes in the field.  Graduation from the FBI Academy or Southern Police Institute would be a plus.

The ideal candidate should have 10 years police experience, 5 years of which must be in a senior supervisory capacity in a department of 30 or more sworn personnel; experience with Community Oriented Policing; proven communications skills with citizenry or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Under the general direction of the City Manager, the Police Chief of the City of Oak Ridge plans, organizes, staffs and directs the activities and operations of the Police Department for the City. Residence in Oak Ridge will be required of the successful candidate.

Oak Ridge was created by the Federal Government as a secret community during World War II as a part of the Manhattan Project, which developed the country=s first atomic weapon. The local Oak Ridge economy is strongly linked to the U. S. Department of Energy (DOE), which occupies about 33,000 acres within the City=s limits in 1,000 buildings and employs about 13,000 persons, one of the largest employers in the State of Tennessee. Wackenhut Services, Inc. (WSI), DOE=s security services contractor, employs about 1,000 personnel in Oak Ridge.  The Oak Ridge Police Department works closely with WSI in providing public safety services to DOE and its employees.

Incorporated in 1959, the City of Oak Ridge operates under a modified City Manager-Council form of government with a Home Rule Charter.  The City Council appoints a City Manager who serves at the pleasure of the Council.   The City Manager will appoint the Police Chief.

Oak Ridge is a full-service City that employs 388 regular staff members citywide.  The City operates its own electric utility.  City Department Directors and many City staff members have significant tenure and are highly skilled professionals in their respective positions. The staff=s goal is to be a leader and a partner in the community.  We want the City to be an exceptional place to work in a strong team environment. We strive to achieve excellence through openness, innovation, responsibility, decisiveness, and communication.

The total FY 2011 budget is $179,473,979 with $55,035,408 of this amount providing a percentage of the total School System budget.

The Oak Ridge Police Department is responsible for enhancing the safety and security of all residents and other persons working in or visiting the City. The Department strives to maintain peace and order throughout the community by education, prevention of criminal activity, response to calls for assistance, and reports of criminal law violations. Comprised of 64 uniform officers (includes Animal Control), one grant funded officer and twelve non-uniform support personnel, the Department is organized into the following activities: Supervision, Investigations, Staff Services, Patrol, Emergency Communications, Animal Control, and School Resource Officer Program. Within these activities is a SWAT Team, a Response Team and participation in regional Drug Task Forces. A Police Chaplain and other associate chaplains provide counseling assistance to crime victims, indigent families and individuals, and Departmental personnel on a voluntary basis. The Department is also responsible for administering the Drug Fund and the Emergency Communications District Fund. The total FY 2011 General Fund budget for the Police Department is $6,099,769.