Secretary to the Board of Police Commissioners (APPOINTED)

About the Board of Police Commissioners

The Detroit Board of Police Commissioners is the civilian body the City Charter charges with supervisory control and oversight of the Detroit Police Department. The Board sets policy, hears citizen concerns, and, through the Office of the Chief Investigator, investigates complaints against members of the Department.

The Board does this work in public, under the Open Meetings Act, with commissioners elected by district and appointed by the Mayor. Its staff exists to help the Board meet its Charter obligations to the people of Detroit: fair, constitutional, and transparent policing.

Under general direction, leads the day-to-day operations of the Board of Police Commissioners (BOPC) to enhance its overall effectiveness in the delivery of oversight services and initiatives in alignment with the City Charter, the Open Meetings Act, and the Board’s Bylaws. Supervises all BOPC Employees in the performance of their duties in accordance with the City Charter and Board's Bylaws. Performs moderately complex administrative duties to ensure that the Board members have accurate advice and resources to execute their duties as outlined in the City Charter. Manages Board meetings, logistics, and records and distributes Board meeting minutes in preparation for the Board meetings. Prepares resolutions and forms, reviews and answers stakeholder inquiries on behalf of the Board, and provides counsel to the Board on complex issues related to governance to ensure efficient delivery of public safety services that ensure fair, constitutional, and transparent policing and oversight.
 
As the top-level executive for the Board of Police Commissioners, the Secretary to the Board is responsible for the overall performance of the Board of Police Commissioners and day-to-day operations of the organization. The Secretary to the Board serves at the pleasure of the Board and reports to the Board who has charter mandates of supervisory control and oversight of the Detroit Police Department.

• Facilitate Board’s Charter-Mandated Requirements under Article 7, Chapter 8. Police in alignment with the Open Meetings Act, state and local laws, and parliamentary procedures. 
• Promote cooperation and collaboration between the Board and the Detroit Police Department. 
• Display leadership with vision and values that enhance organizational culture, oversight operations, and community trust. 
• Monitor/Observe BOPC Office Staff only (non OCI staff) in the performance of their duties in accordance with the City Charter and Board's Bylaws.
• Perform annual staff evaluations and prepare staff and Board strategic plans.
• Cultivate and maintain a healthy work environment for all personnel.
• Supervise the implementation of training for all Board Members and employees to ensure civilian oversight legitimacy, continuous organizational improvements, and national best practices. 
• Develop and implement sound rules, regulations, orders, and procedures for approval by the BOPC that incorporates national best practices and oversight legitimacy that results in accurate policy enforcement. 
• Represent the Board in non-technical matters and act as a liaison between the Mayor’s Office, City Council’s Office, Office of the Chief of Police, subordinates, command units, other municipal departments, law firms, courts and administrative boards and outside attorneys.
• Prepare various legal and investigation documents in conjunction with Board Attorney including, but not limited to, answers to inquiries, motions, legal memoranda, affidavits, stipulations, resolutions, case files, proofs of service and unit activity summaries.
• Accept service of a variety of legal documents, including but not limited to motions, briefs and notarize documents.
• Independently answer routine but important correspondence and drafts replies to non-routine correspondence, subject to review and approval by the Board. 
• Sort and prioritize correspondence and bring important or urgent matters to the attention of the Board and Board staff.
• Manage meeting logistics for the Board including but not limited to recording and distributing meeting minutes, preparing and distributing meeting agendas and facilitating the orientation of new Commissioners.
• Provide specialized consultation and advice needed to facilitate organization efforts, strategies, and initiatives. 
• Related work as assigned by the Board and/or Board Leadership. 

 
.Qualifications (required):

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Criminal Justice or related field; Master’s Degree in Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Human Resources, or related field.
• Applicant must not have been an employee or elective or appointive officer of the City of Detroit within (3) years prior to consideration of appointment. 
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of recent experience performing moderately complex duties involving board governance and compliance, managing board and committee meetings logistics, attending to recording and distributing minutes of the board meetings, facilitating board orientations, investigating and providing resolution to issues, and performing various other complex administrative duties. 
• Minimum of 5 years of management experience. 
• Working knowledge of federal, state, city and municipal laws and ordinances preferred.

 
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be substituted to meet the education and experience requirements of this position.
 
Qualifications (preferred):

• Juris Doctorate or Doctorate of Public Administration and Policy; Business Administration; Management; Criminal Justice; or related field preferred.
• Municipal experience preferred. 

 

Evaluation Plan

• Interview: 70%
• Evaluation of Training, Experience & Personal Qualifications: 30%
• Total of Interview and Evaluation T.E.P: 100%

Additional points may be awarded for:

• Veteran Points: 0 – 15 points
• Detroit Residency Credit:   15 point