Salary: $142,958.40 - $185,848.00 Annually
Location : Paso Robles, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-21
Department: Police
Opening Date: 07/27/2026
Closing Date: 8/24/2026 10:00 AM Pacific
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: MGMT

Description
Application Deadline: Monday, August 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM

Tentative Interviews: Tuesday, September 15, 2026

The City of Paso Robles is seeking an experienced law enforcement leader to join its as a police lieutenant. This newly established management position offers an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of a growing organization dedicated to professional policing, community partnerships, and exceptional public service. As a member of the department's management team, the police lieutenant oversees critical police operations, supervises and mentors personnel, provides command during major incidents, and collaborates with City leadership, allied agencies, and the community to advance the department's mission. The ideal candidate is a collaborative and principled leader with sound judgment, a commitment to developing others, and a passion for delivering high-quality police services.
Typical Duties

The following duties are typical of this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the duties set forth below and/or may be required to perform additional related duties to address City needs and evolving business practices.

• Plans, organizes, supervises, evaluates, and coordinates the activities of sworn and non-sworn personnel assigned to patrol, investigations, traffic, support services, or other operational functions.
• Provides direct supervision and leadership to sergeants and other supervisory personnel; establishes performance expectations, monitors operational effectiveness, and promotes accountability and professional development.
• Serves as watch commander; directs law enforcement operations during routine activities, critical incidents, emergencies, tactical operations, and special events.
• Reviews reports, arrests, citations, investigations, use-of-force incidents, vehicle pursuits, and other operational activities to ensure legal sufficiency, policy compliance, and professional standards.
• Conducts or oversees administrative, personnel, internal affairs, and operational investigations; evaluates findings and recommends corrective, disciplinary, or administrative action as appropriate.
• Responds to major incidents, significant crimes, officer-involved events, and other complex or sensitive situations; provides command-level oversight and coordination of personnel and resources.
• Evaluates crime trends, workload indicators, staffing needs, and operational performance; develops and implements strategies to improve service delivery, crime reduction efforts, and organizational effectiveness.
• Assists in the development, implementation, and evaluation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and operational priorities.
• Participates in employee selection, promotional processes, workforce planning, training, mentoring, and succession planning activities.
• Identifies training needs and ensures personnel maintain required certifications, competencies, and operational readiness.
• Coordinates activities with allied law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, schools, community organizations, City departments, and other stakeholders.
• Investigates and resolves citizen complaints, personnel concerns, labor-related issues, and service delivery matters.
• Assists in budget preparation, resource planning, equipment acquisition, and expenditure monitoring for assigned functions.
• Conducts operational reviews, audits, inspections, and special projects; recommends and implements improvements to enhance efficiency, accountability, and effectiveness.
• Prepares and reviews reports, correspondence, evaluations, statistical analyses, and other administrative documents.
• Represents the department at meetings, community events, task forces, committees, and interagency functions as assigned.
• Promotes community partnerships, problem-oriented policing strategies, and public trust through professional and responsive service delivery.

Employment Standards & Special Requirements

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, methods, and procedures of modern law enforcement administration, supervision, and operations.
• Patrol operations, criminal investigations, traffic enforcement, crime prevention, emergency response, and specialized law enforcement functions.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, regulations, court decisions, and constitutional protections governing law enforcement activities.
• Principles and practices of leadership, supervision, employee development, performance management, coaching, counseling, and progressive discipline.
• Administrative and internal affairs investigations, complaint review procedures, and personnel management practices.
• Incident command principles, emergency management systems, tactical operations, and critical incident response.
• Operational planning, deployment strategies, staffing, scheduling, and resource allocation methods.
• Crime analysis techniques, intelligence-led policing concepts, and performance measurement methods.
• Department policies, procedures, labor agreements, risk management practices, and professional standards.
• Budget development, expenditure monitoring, and public-sector resource management principles.
• Community policing philosophies, public relations practices, and interagency collaboration techniques.
• Law enforcement records systems, information management practices, and technology applications used in public safety operations.
• Occupational hazards, safety practices, and risk mitigation principles applicable to law enforcement operations.
• Principles of public administration, organizational management, and customer service.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and professional report-writing standards.

Ability to:

• Effectively plan, organize, supervise, evaluate, and coordinate the work of supervisory, sworn, and civilian personnel.
• Provide effective leadership, mentoring, coaching, and professional development to subordinate supervisors and staff.
• Analyze complex operational, administrative, and personnel issues and implement effective solutions.
• Direct and coordinate law enforcement operations during routine activities, emergencies, major incidents, and critical events.
• Exercise sound judgment and make timely decisions in high-risk, rapidly evolving, and politically sensitive situations.
• Accurately interpret, apply, and enforce laws, regulations, policies, procedures, labor agreements, and professional standards.
• Conduct and oversee administrative, personnel, and operational investigations and prepare well-supported findings and recommendations.
• Evaluate operational performance, identify organizational needs, and implement improvements to enhance service delivery.
• Manage multiple priorities, projects, personnel, and resources effectively.
• Communicate clearly, professionally, and effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, labor representatives, City officials, allied agencies, community organizations, and the public.
• Prepare comprehensive reports, correspondence, evaluations, presentations, and administrative documents.
• Promote accountability, ethical conduct, professionalism, and organizational excellence.
• Work independently and exercise sound judgment within established legal, procedural, and administrative guidelines.

Human Relations and Communications Skills
Requires frequent internal and external contact to carry out organizational programs, explain specialized matters, or enforce laws, ordinances, policies, and procedures. May include occasional contact with higher-level officials requiring cooperation, explanation, and persuasion.

Analytical Skills and Complexity
Exercises considerable analytical ability to select, evaluate, and interpret data from multiple sources. Requires interpretation and application of guidelines, policies, and procedures to determine appropriate actions.

Education and Experience
A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

• Possession of an associate degree with coursework in criminal justice, criminology, public administration, or a related field; and
• Seven years of experience as a sworn law enforcement officer, two of which must be at the rank of police sergeant or higher.

Possession of a bachelor's degree in a related field is desirable.

Licenses and Certifications
Requires possession of the following:

• A valid California Class C driver license and a satisfactory driving record
• CPR and First Aid certifications
• California POST Supervisory Certificate
• Must successfully complete the California POST Management Course within two years of appointment

Other Requirements
Must meet or exceed all Peace Officer selection requirements pursuant to 11 CCR § 1950.
Must be available to respond to emergencies, critical incidents, meetings, and other operational needs outside of normal business hours as required.

The full job description, including physical demands and working conditions, is available on the
Selection Procedure & Application Process
To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity, please submit a completed employment application, cover le