CITY OF SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS
The City of Southlake, TX Seeks an Experienced and Innovative Law Enforcement Executive to Lead the Police Services Division During a Period of Growth and Change, While Serving as the Next
The Community
Southlake (25,158 population) is uniquely situated within 20 miles of downtown Dallas and downtown Fort Worth. It lies between Alliance Airport (8 miles west) and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (5 miles east).
Southlake’s quality of life is among the highest in the D/FW Metroplex, with its safe neighborhoods, community programs and excellent schools. Southlake is served by four school districts, Carroll ISD, Northwest ISD, Grapevine/Colleyville ISD and Keller ISD. All are rated by the State of Texas as “Recognized” or higher. The regional cost of living is lower than the majority of U.S. major metropolitan areas. Families find exceptional public schools, convenient and diverse shopping opportunities and easy access to cultural and recreational activities throughout the Metroplex.
Southlake prides itself on its master planned communities and quality commercial developments, which set the standard for the Metroplex. Outstanding corporate and commercial developments in Southlake include Sabre’s Corporate Headquarters, Verizon Wireless’ Network Observation and Control Center, the nationally renowned Southlake Town Square by Cooper and Stebbins, and Gateway Plaza by Lincoln Property Company.
Due to its location, available land, financial stability, educated workforce, high quality of life and quality driven development regulations, Southlake will be the center of growth for years to come.
The City Government
The City of Southlake was incorporated in 1956 and adopted a home rule charter creating the Council-Manager form of government in 1987. The City Council consists of the Mayor and six Council Members all elected at-large. The City of Southlake is a full- service city with 258 full-time employees and a FY 2005 operating budget of $48.6 million and a capital budget of $10.0 million. The City also collects a ˝ cent sales tax for its crime control district and a ˝ cent sales tax for parks. The City of Southlake has a “AA” bond rating Standards and Poors and a “AA-” from Fitch.
The Department
The City of Southlake began providing police services in 1956 and fire services in 1966. In 1984, the City’s Fire Department staff included a combination of paid and volunteer fire fighters. As Southlake grew in the late 80's, a larger, more involved public safety unit was needed to provide adequate service for the City’s 24 square miles. In October 1990, the City of Southlake consolidated the departments of Police, Fire and Communications into a Department of Public Safety. Currently, the Southlake DPS is composed of Fire Services, Police Services, Support Services and Building Services. Under the direction of the Director of Public Safety, the four divisions currently have 127 employees. The Department of Public Safety is the only municipal public safety department in the country to have achieved national accreditation in both Police and Fire Services.
Police Services
The Police Services Division of the Department of Public Safety is an accredited police agency and has an interest in maintaining that accreditation. The Police Services Division has 60 full-time employees, 57 of which are sworn officers in four divisions - Patrol Division, Traffic Division, Criminal Investigation Division and Community Services Division. The Police Services Division has an operating budget of $4.9 million for FY 2005.
It is the mission of the Police Services Division to contribute to the growth and development of our community by effectively and efficiently providing the highest level of professional police and law enforcement services, and dedicating themselves to protecting lives and property, while maintaining the highest ethical standards.
The Southlake Department of Public Safety offers several service programs to the community and the surrounding area and among them are:
• Senior Cell Phone Program (sponsored jointly by DPS & Parks and Recreation)
• Crime Prevention/Insurance Reduction Surveys
• Neighborhood Watch Program
• Vacation House Watch
• Parental Assistance Program
• Child ID
The Position
The Chief of Police is appointed by and reports directly to the Director of Public Safety, and is responsible for the supervision and administration of the Police Services Division, including the development and implementation of division goals, objectives, policies and plans. The Chief of Police will monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery, as well as, determine the appropriate staffing levels and resource allocation.
Issues/Opportunities
v A Police Services Division in transition
v Increasing crime associated with the completion of State Highway 114 and increased retail growth
v Increasing public expectations of higher levels of service
v Moving the organization from an informal to a business-oriented culture
v Implementing a Police Services Division management study
v Developing a strong relationship with the school system
The Ideal Candidate
Education and Experience
Candidates for the position will have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration or related field, with ten years experience as a police executive in a comparably sized or larger community. Experience in a community with similar political, business and growth issues is preferred. A Master’s degree in Business Administration or Public Administration is highly desirable, as is, a proven track record of success. Attendance at one or more command schools such as the FBI Academy, Southern Police Institute or Southwestern Law Enforcement Institute is also desirable. The candidate must be eligible for certification by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) at the advance level (master level desired), or its equivalent as determined by that commission and have the ability to obtain a license from TCLEOSE within 30 days.
Knowledge and Skills
v Demonstrated orientation to objective achievement through the successful implementation of performance measurement and best practices techniques in contemporary municipal police management
v A passion and commitment to a community-oriented policing philosophy with the development of effective relationships between the Police Services Division and neighborhood organizations, schools and civic/business groups
v Knowledge of the accreditation process
v Knowledge of modern police management, methodology and procedures, including problem solving policing, community-oriented policing, crime prevention, etc.
v Demonstrated understanding of appropriate/effective communication methods related to police issues
v Knowledge of various law enforcement grant opportunities
v Strong financial management skills with the ability to balance the needs of the division with limited financial resources against other department and city needs
v Knowledge of the principles of personnel management and the development of consistent, fair and effective employee evaluation, promotion and hiring practices
Management Style, Abilities and Personal Traits
v Unquestionable ethics and high moral character
v Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish positive working relationships with the entire organization
v Politically savvy but scrupulously avoids personal involvement in political issues
v Visible involvement in community and community organizations
v Strong sensitivity to the expectations of the community
v Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of existing and proposed programs and develop recommendations for growing, developing and continuously improving the organization
v Polished and comfortable communicator, who can convey his/her ideas orally and in writing
v Ability to set clear goals, allowing managers to perform while holding them accountable for results
v Decisive leadership, exercising sound judgment and seeking to involve staff at all levels of the division
v Ability to think globally and communicate a shared vision to the organization and community
Compensation
The City of Southlake has established an outstanding and competitive compensation package with the starting salary range of up to $95,000, negotiable depending on experience and qualifications. The City of Southlake participates in the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) but does not participate in the Social Security System. In addition, the City offers a benefit package comparable to other cities its size, including a 457 deferred compensation plan through either ICMA or Nationwide Retirement Solutions.
How to Apply
Qualified individuals should send resumes (email preferred), current salary information and five business related references no later than close of business May 6, 2005.
Jim C. Blagg, Sr. VP
The Mercer Group, Inc.
405 Sommerville Court
Arlington, TX 76013
VOICE: 972.740.3519 / FAX: 817.275.0897
EMAIL: mercertx@sbcglobal.net
Resumes will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this brochure. Candidates with relevant qualifications will be given preliminary interviews by consultants. Candidates deemed qualified will be reported to the City. A final interview process will be scheduled for selected candidates. Final candidates will be subject to a “fitness for command” evaluation.
THE CITY OF SOUTHLAKE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND VALUES DIVERSITY AT ALL LEVELS OF ITS WORKPLACE. FEMALE, MINORITY AND DISABLED CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
THE TEXAS PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT MAY REQUIRE DISCLOSURE OF APPLICANT INFORMATION AT ANY STAGE OF THE PROCESS.