- Salary
- $117k – $168k/yr
- Location
- Lake Forest Park, WA, WA, US
- Type
- Full-time
- Source
- GovernmentJobs
Description
***This position will remain open until filled, however candidates are encouraged to apply by September 16, 2026 to be considered in the first round of application reviews.***
JOIN OUR TEAM
As Commander, you will partner directly with the Chief of Police to shape and sustain the future success of the Lake Forest Park Police Department. This vital role requires a dynamic communicator who can build deep organizational trust and forge strong, collaborative relationships with City leadership, elected officials, and neighborhood community groups. If you are a highly autonomous, organized leader with a proven ability to manage division programs and drive continuous departmental growth, we invite you to apply.
ABOUT US
The Lake Forest Park Police Department is comprised of 26 commissioned officers, support staff and non-sworn employees committed to making our community the safest community in the Puget Sound Region.Under the direction of the Police Chief, the Department is led by two full-time Commander positions responsible for the operation and administration of their assigned Division (Patrol Operations Division or the Support Services Division) and programs.
Visit our webpage to learn more about our Department: https://cityoflfp.gov/167/Police-Department
The City offers excellent time-off benefits, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability (LTD), employee assistance program (EAP), HRA/HSA/FSA, enrollment in Washington State's DRS LEOFF retirement pension plan, 401(a) retirement plan with City matching contribution (social security replacement plan), and an optional 457 deferred compensation plan (DCP).
Work schedule: Day shift, however frequent evening, night and weekend work is required.
Work hours: 4/10, 9/80 or 5/8 schedule based on operational needs and consideration of the employee's preference.
Essential Functions:
Program Management & Policy Development/Implementation:
- Implements and monitors Division programs, staffing, training, policies, procedures, and practices used to enforce the laws and ordinances of the City and State.
- Oversees the Police Department’s facilities and equipment programs. Includes tracking inventory, ordering and managing new equipment, replacement of budgeted equipment, implementation of new equipment and/or programs to meet future needs; Conducts inspections of Police Department facilities and takes appropriate measures to rectify any problems noted. May serve as quartermaster for the Department.
- Implements, interprets and applies policies, procedures, and plans; Assists with the development, revision, and evaluation of existing and new policies/procedures for the department; Performs audits and inspections of Department activities as required by policy.
- Monitors trends in law enforcement practices and recommends operational and policy improvements; evaluates programs, services, and activities to ensure they are meeting community policing needs; Keeps abreast of modern law enforcement methods, technologies, techniques and best practices; communicate changes to appropriate personnel through policy updates, bulletins, briefings and in-service training.
Community Outreach & Education:
- Communicates and maintains good relations with the general public, City officials, staff, and other law enforcement agencies.
- Reviews public complaints and recommends to the Police Chief a best course of action; ensures the Police Chief is aware of complaints and keeps the Police Chief apprised of the progress or status of internal matters and issues of public concern;
- Provides community education and solutions to community policing issues; Educates the public, City Council, and staff through trainings and public briefings.
- Assists the Police Chief in the preparation and submittal of periodic reports to the Mayor, City Council, and City Administrator regarding the department’s activities.
- Assists the Police Chief with the preparation, presentation, and administration of the annual budget for the department; assists with analyzing statistics and the preparation of programs to deal with problems identified in the community policing process.
- Assists administration and supervisory staff on social media dissemination; Interface with the media when needed or required to push out messages to the community; Regularly update the City’s Police webpage, when needed.
Personnel Management & Administrative Support:
- Develops and maintains a workforce committed to the Department’s mission. Provides managerial assistance and supervision to select, train, motivate, mentor, and evaluate staff; establishes and monitors employee performance objectives; plans, directs and coordinates work plans; provides or coordinates staff training; in partnership with Human Resources, works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements and recommends corrective action.
- Meets regularly with staff to discuss and resolve priorities and technical issues; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures.
- Facilitates problem solving in the Department and encourages a high degree of communication and feedback between employees and supervisors; leads by example by maintaining high standards of behavior and performance.
- Assists the Police Chief in directing the development and maintenance of systems, records, and legal documents that provide for proper evaluation control, and documentation of Police Department operations.
- Reviews Department's use of overtime, sick leave, holiday and vacation time and reports issues to the Police Chief.
- Directs and conducts internal and administrative investigations at the direction of the Police Chief and makes recommendations consistent with policies and procedures.
- Investigates complaints against employees (internal or external) when assigned; Prepares findings of facts to the Police Chief for appropriate action.
- Reviews and assigns employee investigations of internal or external complaints; Develops reports and audits when required.
Other:
- Assists the Police Chief in the annual budget process by preparing analysis and financial reports/records, capital expenditure reports and provides information and input on division needs.
- Manages expenditures to ensure Division stays within scope of allotted budget.
- Plans and prepares data for grants and/or funded programs; maintains appropriate intergovernmental coordination, such as mutual aid plans and interlocal agreements.
- Monitors and issues building controls with the vendor (Sonitrol) regarding CCTV and access control for the building, including safety issues within the building.
- Responds to emergency situations when called upon to provide supervisory, investigative, and logistical support for the Department.
- Manage Police Department forms and files for modification and maintenance.
- Assumes command of the Police Department in the absence of the Police Chief, when assigned.
Support Services Commander Responsibilities Also Include:
- Responsible for the direct supervision of Support Services Division and directs the daily work of the investigative unit, records unit and the support unit.
- Directs the investigation of major crime scenes within the city and in collaboration with the Coalition of Small Police Agency’s (CSPA).
- Performs caseload management to include working casework overflow, employment background checks, monthly reports, case review approval, CPS referrals, sex offender reviews, and special investigative events.
- Serves as Accreditation Manager, coordinating the implementation of accreditation standards, communications, training requirements, and adherence to those standards.
- Oversee and manages special duty assignments, such as firearms, police driving, defensive tactics, etc.
- Coordinates background and hiring activities in partnership with Human Resources; includes reviewing application materials, answering applicant questions, oral board interview coordination, managing the background investigations and preparing the final reports for hiring consideration.
- Serves as Training Supervisor, ensuring up to date adherence for mandatory, in-service training, and tracking of department training received. Supervise and manage the field training program (FTO).
- Oversee the public disclosure requests for the Police Department and ensure the records unit tracks, maintains and fills those requests according to statute.
- Coordinate with the City’s I.S. Manager or vendor to support and oversee the technology needs of the Police Department; Manage access, certification, and employee training for law enforcement I.T. systems, software and subscriptions.
Patrol Operations Division Commander Responsibilities Also Include:
- Responsible for direct management of the Patrol Operations Division and patrol specialty units.
- Manage and supervise the Police Department’s volunteer, intern and chaplain programs.
- Command field operations when necessary for the city or when needed in other jurisdiction for representation for the city.
- Reviews and manages Division staffing levels to maintain efficient operations.
- Oversee and manages SWAT/HNT, Traffic Unit, and K9 assignments.
- Manages projects and events to further promote the Police Department.
- Conducts random cash and evidence room audits.
- Serves as tactical commander at the scene of major crimes and other situations, provides advice and assistance to on scene supervisor and/ or subordinates.
- Responsible for the City’s emergency management and emergency preparedness programs in the absence of a primary Emergency Manager; duties include but not limited to: ensuring the City’s Emergency Operations Plan and supporting procedures are reviewed and updated annually; plans and coordinates drills and exercises with City staff, either assists or manages the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) when activated; prepares post disaster reports for City leadership review.
- Responsible for and manages the traffic programs; including traffic camera systems, traffic safety programs, grant funded traffic outreach and traffic calming programs and public education.
Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
Required:
- A bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration or related field AND at least six-years’ full-time experience as a Police Officer with a minimum of three years’ full-time experience as a Sergeant or equivalent position OR equivalent education/experience.
- CJTC Certification as any general or limited commissioned officer. Decertified officers are not eligible.
- Valid Washington State Driver’s License and the ability to maintain insurability with the City.
- CPR, First Aid & AED certification within six months of hire.
- Must successfully pass a comprehensive criminal background investigation, psychological evaluation, pre-employment medical examination and drug screening.
Preferred:
- Five years full-time experience as a Sergeant or equivalent position.
- Public speaking experience in front of small and large audiences.
- Small to mid-sized project or program development and implementation experience.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
The position works in a standard office environment working at a computer and outdoors; job duties performed outdoors are subject to a variety of terrains, under a variety of weather conditions, including sun, rain, wind, mud, and snow. Conditions may include working in right-of-way, traffic, or roadways, exposure to communicable diseases, hazardous materials and physical or verbal abuse from hostile citizens.
To perform the essential function of the job, incumbents must be able to walk, stand, reach, talk, hear and operate a motorized vehicle; moderate or light lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds frequently.
Skills
CPRProgram ManagementPublic Speaking
