Description

POLICE LIEUTENANT

Department: Police Department

Reports To: Chief of Police

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $44.19 - $56.57

Status: Full-Time

DEFINITION

Under general direction of the Chief of Police, plans, organizes, coordinates, supervises, and evaluates the activities of an assigned division, bureau, or watch within the Police Department. Serves as a member of the Department's management team and exercises independent judgment in directing personnel, managing resources, implementing departmental goals, and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, policies, and professional standards.

The Police Lieutenant serves as the on-duty commanding officer during assigned shifts and assumes command of major incidents, critical events, and emergency operations until relieved by higher authority. The Lieutenant provides leadership that promotes officer safety, constitutional policing, ethical conduct, accountability, community trust, and operational excellence.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Police Lieutenant is a management-level classification responsible for supervising first-line supervisors and overseeing major operational, administrative, investigative, or support functions of the Police Department. Employees in this classification exercise considerable independent judgment in the administration of departmental operations and participate in the development and implementation of departmental policies, strategic initiatives, and organizational goals.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The duties listed below are representative of the work performed and are not intended to be all-inclusive.
• Command and supervise all personnel assigned to an operational watch or division.

• Provide leadership, mentoring, coaching, and professional guidance to subordinate supervisors and employees.
• Establish operational priorities and ensure efficient deployment of personnel and resources.
• Conduct supervisory briefings, planning meetings, and operational debriefings.
• Serve as the Department's on-duty command officer.
• Direct police operations during critical incidents, major crimes, disasters, tactical situations, and special events.
• Assume Incident Command consistent with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS).
• Coordinate mutual aid operations and interagency responses.
• Evaluate ongoing incidents and adjust staffing and resources as operational needs change.
• Ensure timely follow-up and documentation of significant incidents.
• Review and approve reports, arrests, search warrants, citations, use of force investigations, pursuit reports, and other official documents.
• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and legal sufficiency of reports.
• Prepare administrative reports, statistical summaries, and operational analyses.
• Maintain shift activity logs and communicate significant issues to executive staff.
• Assist in budget planning, equipment purchases, strategic planning, and policy development.
• Supervise Police Sergeants and evaluate supervisory performance.
• Conduct employee performance evaluations.
• Identify training needs and recommend professional development.
• Resolve employee conflicts and promote positive morale.
• Recommend personnel actions including hiring, transfers, commendations, corrective action, and discipline.
• Ensure compliance with Department policies, labor agreements, and applicable California law.
• Promote constitutional policing and ethical decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with Department policies, California law, POST standards, and applicable federal regulations.
• Review high-liability incidents.
• Conduct supervisory reviews involving use of force, pursuits, complaints, and critical incidents.
• Ensure timely completion of required administrative investigations and documentation.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with community members.
• Respond to citizen complaints and concerns.
• Represent the Department before community groups, City officials, schools, businesses, and partner agencies.
• Foster partnerships that improve public safety and community trust.
• Ensure efficient utilization of Department vehicles, equipment, facilities, and technology.
• Monitor equipment needs and coordinate replacement or repair.
• Oversee staffing assignments to maximize operational readiness.
• Promote officer wellness and officer safety.
• Ensure personnel utilize appropriate tactics and sound judgment.
• Identify operational risks and implement corrective measures.
• Conduct supervisory reviews designed to reduce organizational liability.
• All other duties as assigned

Acting Command Responsibilities

In the absence of the Chief of Police or higher-ranking authority, the Lieutenant may:

• Exercise operational command of the Police Department.
• Make emergency operational decisions.
• Coordinate emergency notifications.
• Represent the Department with outside agencies.
• Authorize emergency expenditures when necessary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Equivalent to graduation from high school or possession of a GED. An associate's degree is desirable.

A Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is highly desirable.

Experience

• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible California law enforcement experience with a California POST participating agency.
• Minimum of two (2) years as a permanent Police Sergeant.
• Increasingly responsible supervisory and administrative experience.

Licenses and Certifications

Required:

• Valid California Driver's License.
• California POST Advanced Certificate.
• California POST Supervisory Certificate.

Must obtain:

• Successful completion of the California POST Management Course within twelve (12) months of appointment if not already completed.

KNOWLEDGE OF

• California criminal law and constitutional law
• Modern police management principles
• Patrol operations
• Criminal investigations
• Emergency management
• Incident Command System
• Personnel management
• Labor relations
• Police ethics
• Community-oriented policing
• Risk management
• Budget administration
• Leadership principles
• California Government Code, Penal Code, Vehicle Code, Evidence Code, and applicable federal laws
• Lexipol policy management systems
• Axon Standards and related police technology platforms

ABILITY TO

• Lead and inspire employees.
• Make sound decisions under stressful conditions.
• Analyze complex situations quickly.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Supervise multiple units simultaneously.
• Resolve conflict.
• Build positive relationships.
• Interpret and apply laws and departmental policy.
• Prepare clear reports and presentations.
• Manage organizational change.
• Exercise independent judgment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in office settings, patrol environments, crime scenes, emergency incidents, correctional facilities, public meetings, and outdoors under varying weather conditions. The position requires availability for nights, weekends, holidays, emergency callouts, and extended work hours.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process may include:

• Application/Resume Review
• Assessment Center (One Way Video Interview)
• Oral Interview Panel
• Background Investigation (if applicable)
• Psychological Evaluation (if applicable)
• Medical Examination (if applicable)

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

The City of McFarland offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Comprehensive City-paid medical, dental, and vision benefits for the employee and dependents.
• Life insurance of $50,000 (employee only)
• Retirement: Effective July 1, 2026, the City of McFarland will participate in the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Eligible employees are enrolled in CalPERS in accordance with applicable laws and the City's contract with CalPERS.
• Supplemental life insurance (Optional)
• AFLAC (Optional)
• Section 125 Plan Participation
• 10 days' vacation and 1 Personal Day
• 12 days of sick pay accrued annually
• 12 days' Holiday Pay

Benefits/Incentives

• Take Home Vehicle Program
• POST Supervisor or Management Certificate: $200.00 per month
• $100 per month Bilingual Pay
• Uniform Allowance $1200.00 per year
• Upon employment the city pays for the first two (2) sets of uniforms and all equipment issued
• Tuition Reimbursement Eligibility requirements

APPLICATION:

To apply, please complete an application online at www.mcfarlandcity.org.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Equivalent to graduation from high school or possession of a GED. An associate's degree is desirable.

A Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field is highly desirable.

Experience

• Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible California law enforcement experience with a California POST participating agency.
• Minimum of two (2) years as a permanent Police Sergeant.
• Increasingly responsible supervisory and administrative experience.

Licenses and Certifications

Required:

• Valid California Driver's License.
• California POST Advanced Certificate.
• California POST Supervisory Certificate.

Must obtain:

• Successful completion of the California POST Management Course within twelve (12) months of appointment if not already completed.