Chief of Police Wentzville, Missouri

Transcription

1 Chief of Police Wentzville, Missouri An IACP Executive Search Opportunity DEADLINE: July 20, 2015

2 1 The City of Wentzville, Missouri, is currently seeking applications for the position of Chief of Police. The successful candidate will be a strong, innovative leader with the community outreach and interpersonal skills needed to drive the Wentzville Police Department s continued success as a community-oriented policing agency dedicated to serving the citizens of Wentzville. The City of Wentzville The City of Wentzville, Missouri, is located in America s Heartland at the intersection of Interstates 70 and 64, less than an hour s drive from St. Louis. The city was founded in 1855 as a railroad depot on the Northern Missouri Railroad. The city was incorporated in Today the city spans square miles and is one of the fastest growing cities in the state. The city has experienced explosive population growth over the past 15 years, growing from approximately 7,000 residents in 2000 to nearly 35,000 today. Projections indicate the population may double to 70,000 in the next 10 years. Wentzville s racial and ethnic diversity is 89.9% White; 2.7% Hispanic; 6.0% African American; 1.2% Asian. The median household income for a family in Wentzville is $70,688, and the median age is 31 years old. The median owner-occupied housing value is $189, General Motors, Wentzville s largest private sector employer, operates its second largest assembly plant in Wentzville. A recently approved 1.3 million square foot addition is anticipated to create hundreds of new jobs. Wentzville has it all convenience, beauty, and charm. A 2007 Business Week report ranked Wentzville among the most affordable suburbs that offer the lowest crime rate, finest schools, and best quality of life for the dollar. Despite its rapid growth, the city maintains a youthful, small town feel. The City of Wentzville offers residents an excellent quality of life with affordable housing, 1 Source U.S. Census Bureau: State and County QuickFacts. Data derived from Population Estimates, American Community Survey, Census of Population and Housing, County Business Patterns, Economic Census, Survey of Business Owners, Building Permits, Census of Governments. Last Revised: Wednesday, 22-Apr :22:30 EDT

3 2 great schools, a variety of community events, and an extensive parks and recreation program. In addition, Wentzville is home to Midwest University and a satellite campus of Lindenwood University. Wentzville is located in western St. Charles County, a collar county to St. Louis and a short drive to popular destinations like Busch Stadium, St. Louis Zoo, and the Gateway Arch. The county boasts the state s third largest economy and a wealth of unique cultural, historic, and recreational amenities, including Lewis and Clark s boathouse, Daniel Boone s home, Missouri Wine Country, and river access. City Government Figure 1: City of Wentzville Organizational Chart The City of Wentzville has a Council- Administrator form of government. The Board of Aldermen is the six-member governing body of the city elected by the public, two from each of the city s three wards. Board members serve staggered two-year terms and are responsible for determining policy, enacting ordinances and authorizing expenditures. The Mayor is elected at-large for a fouryear term. The responsibilities of the Mayor include serving as the chief executive officer of the City, attending and presiding over Board of Aldermen meetings, veto powers over legislation and appointing members of various Boards and Commissions. The City Administrator is hired by the Board to carry out the policies established by the Board. The City Administrator is responsible for preparing the budget, directing day-to-day operations, and personnel management. The chief of police is nominated by the Mayor, with final approval by a majority vote of the sixmember Board of Aldermen. Work is reviewed and evaluated by the City Administrator. City Vision The City of Wentzville is a community of neighbors working together to build a better future. Mission of City Governance To offer all our citizen s opportunities for continuously improving quality of life by providing effective leadership and service by encouraging responsible citizenship; stimulating economic growth; and planning and fiscal responsibility.

4 3 The Wentzville Police Department The Wentzville Police Department (WPD) is a full-service police organization with approximately 64 sworn police officers and 21 full and part time support positions. The 2015 annual budget for the department is just over $8 million. The department comprises two divisions: Field Operations and Support Services. Field Operations Division is made up of all Road Patrol Platoons, the Corrections and Reserve Officers. Road Patrol Officers are the backbone of the Wentzville Police Department and serve the community at large by responding to a variety of calls for service and conducting proactive patrol and other crime prevention efforts. The Support Services Division consists of all supporting functions of the Police Department. Encompassed in this Division are the Records Section, Communications Center, Special Services Section (traffic bureau, school resource officers, D.A.R.E., and animal control/park rangers), Detective Bureau, as well as all training, recruiting, public information and professional standards functions. Figure 2 illustrates the organizational structure of WPD. Figure 2: WPD Organizational Chart Crime Crime has remained low in Wentzville, despite the city s rapid population growth. The city has experienced one homicide over the last five years and averages 44 crimes against persons and 565 property crimes annually. Figure 3 details the city s population growth relative to reported crime for 2000 to 2014.

5 4 Figure 3: Wentzville Population and Reported Crime, Source: FBI, Uniform Crime Reports as prepared by the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data Community-Police Relations Citizens maintain a high regard for the police with 84% of citizens noting they are satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of police service in a 2010 community survey. Satisfaction with various aspects of public safety service is also high, as summarized in Figure 4 below. Wentzville police enjoy a positive relationship with the public. Community oriented policing and citizen engagement is valued and expected.

6 5 Figure 4: Public Safety Survey Results, 2010 Technology In recent years, the department has been proactive in the use of technology to enhance law enforcement and public safety. Two years ago, Wentzville initiated the use of body cameras yielding positive results for the organization. A new stateof-the-art headquarters was built for the police department in The department recently purchased a license plate reader. Upcoming projects include a move to cloud technology, implementation of mobile ticket printers, migrating to Caprice patrol vehicles.

7 6 Department Goals & Objectives The department set forth the following goals and objectives for 2015: To implement rapid ID system to allow officers to more easily, properly identify suspects who are being evasive and untruthful. Work toward fully integrated problem solving policing methodology, by using community policing, intelligence-led policing and community engagement. Maintain low crime rates and work toward reductions in all part one crime categories, in order to attract new businesses and residents to Wentzville. Maintain and work to reduce officer assaults to keep officers safe. WPD MISSION STATEMENT The Wentzville Police Department is dedicated to delivering Constitutionally sound, superior law enforcement services with professionalism; ensuring citizens peacefully and safely enjoy their lives, building strong partnerships and relationships with residents, visitors, and businesses in the City of Wentzville while demanding the officers who serve and the staff that supports does so with the utmost pride, unmatchable courage, and unwavering integrity." The Next Wentzville Chief of Police The next chief of police in Wentzville should be community-focused change agent, capable of working effectively in a fast-paced environment, and experienced in building and maintaining broad coalitions of support. Additional key capabilities and competencies include: Committed to continuously develop and enhance community-oriented policing Encourages and fosters professional development for future department leaders Understanding of and experience with technology Engaged community partner committed to the City of Wentzville Exemplary leader within the police department and in the community at large Proven track record of leadership in policing communities with high population growth Experience developing and executing a strategic plan

8 7 Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with City Administrator, Mayor and City Council, employees of other departments, representatives of outside agencies, and the public. Experience in organizational planning and staff development Ability to communicate effectively and maintain effective internal and external working relationships Fair, approachable, and open-minded Experience managing resources Requirements Candidates must possess a bachelor s degree (master degree preferred) from an accredited college or university and a minimum of ten (10) years law enforcement experience, including a minimum of five (5) years of command experience. Offers of employment will be made contingent upon passing of police academy or Missouri Peace Officer Certification within six (6) months of appointment and maintain said certification to POST standards. Evidence of continuing professional development (e.g., FBI National Academy or Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command) is preferred. Previous experience working in close proximity to a major urban area is a plus. Residency within the city of Wentzville is required within one year of appointment (extension may be granted by city). Salary Salary is dependent on qualifications. Salary range will be commensurate with experience, beginning at $92,480 up to $117,912 annually, with a comprehensive benefits package.

9 8 Application Process The International Association of Chiefs of Police is assisting in the search process. Submit resume and letter of interest via to Please include Wentzville Executive Search in the subject line. Replies may also be mailed to: Application Deadline: July 20, 2015 IACP Attn: Wentzville Executive Search 44 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 200 Alexandria, VA 22314