CITY OF PRAIRIE VILLAGE, KANSAS
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This is an exciting opportunity to live and work in an urban Midwestern city located in America=s heartland. The City of Prairie Village is seeking a highly qualified individual to become its next Chief of Police. The selected individual will be appointed by the Mayor and will work under the day-to-day direction of the City Administrator. The City of Prairie Village, Kansas, is seeking a dedicated, responsive, and experienced individual for its next Chief of Police. The ideal candidate shall have comprehensive knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, concepts, methods and procedures. In addition, the successful individual for this position shall have good knowledge of federal and state laws and city ordinances, shall possess the ability to plan, organize and supervise the work of others and shall have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing. The successful candidate shall possess a minimum of a Bachelor=s degree in Police Science, Criminal Justice or a similar degree with a related Master=s degree preferred. Evidence of continued professional development such as completion of the FBI Academy or similar program would be a plus. In addition, the successful candidate should possess at least eight years of law enforcement experience, four years of which must have been at a supervisory level. The City of Prairie Village annually contracts with the neighboring City of Mission Hills for its police protection. The successful candidate should also become knowledgeable about the contractual relationship with the City of Mission Hills. The Chief of Police attends monthly City Council meetings, formally reports crime statistics and other relevant data, and responds to questions from the City Council or from citizens. Residence within the City of Prairie Village is required by City Ordinance. The Chief of Police, in the discharge of his/her duties, shall be responsible for all police policy and procedure and shall be subject to the orders of the Mayor only. Prairie Village was incorporated as a Kansas city of the third class in 1951. By 1956, the City=s growth and development qualified it to become a city of the first class. One of the most distinctive features of Prairie Village is its sense of community. Prairie Village=s future is sure to be as bright as its past! A Mayor, 12-member City Council, committees and professional staff provide leadership and management for the City of Prairie Village. The City of Prairie Village operates under a Mayor-Council form of government. The Mayor appoints a professionally trained City Administrator, department managers, and certain other City officials. The Prairie Village Police Department has evolved over the years from a volunteer marshal/deputy form of protection to a full-service, multi-faceted law enforcement agency. When the City was first incorporated in 1951, the Mayor appointed a City Marshall and two deputies, all volunteers, to patrol the City. By the end of 1952, the City was growing so fast that the first paid officer was hired and sworn in as Chief of Police. During the past 55 years, a modern police Department has grown to an authorized strength of 46 commissioned police officers and 13 civilian personnel who provide law enforcement service to the citizens of Prairie Village and, under a 50-year inter-local agreement, to the adjacent community of Mission Hills. Officers patrol 167 miles of paved roads and provide services to almost 27,000 citizens of the two communities. The current budget for the Police Department is $5.5 million, which represents about 25 percent of the total City budget. The starting salary will be market competitive, depending on the experience and qualifications of the selected individual. The salary will be in the range of $76,600 to $114,800, with the market reference point being $95,700 per annum. In addition, the City will provide an automobile and an excellent fringe benefit package to the successful candidate. For additional information on this outstanding opportunity, please contact James L. Mercer, President, The Mercer Group, Inc. at 505-466-9500; mercer@mindspring.com. Confidential resumes should be sent by close of business March 30, 2007, to James L. Mercer, President, The Mercer Group, Inc., 551 West Cordova Road, #726, Santa Fe, NM 87505. Voice: 505-466-9500; Fax: 505-466-1274. E-Mail: mercer@mindspring.com; Website: www.mercergroupinc.com. The City of Prairie Village is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Minority and Female Candidates are Encouraged to Apply.