Chief of Police

JOB TITLE: Chief of Police 

SALARY: $83,200 to $89,440

BENEFITS:
• Incentive of $3000 ($1500 after 1 year probation, $1500 after 2 years)
• 100% Health, dental & vision coverage for employee and spouse 
• PERA Plan 4 Retirement
• Take-home Unit
• Uniform Allowance

SUPERVISION:
Reports directly to and performs under the direction of the Mayor. Supervises all Police Department 
personnel. 
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: 
The position of Chief of Police is an “At Will Employee” position. As such, the Police Chief serves at the 
discretion of the Mayor and is not “protected” by the Personnel Policy Ordinance. 
PURPOSE AND NATURE OF JOB:
The Chief of Police is recommended or appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by a majority vote of the 
Town Council. The Chief of Police is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Police Department and has
authority in all matters of policy, operations, and discipline. The Chief of Police exercises all lawful powers
of the Police Office and issues such lawful orders as are necessary to assure the effective performance of the
Department. Through the Chief of Police, the Department is responsible for the enforcement of all laws 
coming within its legal jurisdiction. The Chief of Police is responsible for planning directing, coordinating, 
controlling, and staffing all activities of the Department. The Chief of Police is also responsible for the 
Department’s continued and efficient operation, for the enforcement of the rules and regulations within the 
Department, for the completion and forwarding of such reports, as may be required by proper authority, and
for the Department’s relations with local citizens, the Local Government, and other related agencies. The 
Chief of Police shall consult with the Mayor on all cases of major importance.

JOB DUTIES:
The Chief of Police is a Commissioned Police Officer and as such answers and investigates calls and
complaints for service misdemeanors and felonies, secures crime scenes, collects evidence, interviews 
witnesses, conducts routine follow-up investigations, obtains and server search and arrest warrants, prepares 
investigation reports, testifies in court, participates in surveillance, patrols assigned residential and
commercial areas by car and on foot, enforces traffic code as required, may be assigned to specialized duties 
and performs related duties. As Department supervisor, the Chief will monitor the daily activities of 
Department Personnel and will oversee all Department Personnel matters. In consultation with Mayor, the 
Chief shall prepare duty schedules for all employees of the Police Department. The Chief shall maintain time 
records for Police Department Employees and submit them to the Mayor for signature and the Treasure for 
payroll as required. The Chief will prepare evaluation reports for police personnel at such intervals as 
deemed necessary by the Town Council and the Personnel Ordinance. As necessary, the Chief will:
• Recommend and make recommendations for the adoption of new Town ordinances or the amendment 
of existing ones.
• Ensure the preparation of periodic and special reports and assure that adequate records are maintained 
of all Police Department activities
• Control the expenditure of department appropriations and prepare annual budget estimates of needs.
• Ensure cooperation with other law enforcement agencies regarding the apprehension and detention of 
wanted persons and with other agencies as appropriate.
• Receive, evaluate, and resolve complaints.
• Attend civil club and school meetings to explain the activities and functions of the Police Department 
to establish favorable public relations.
• In consultation with the Mayor, formulate written administrative guidance in the form of policies, 
regulations and other orders governing the activities of the Police Department.
• The Chief shall have general charge of the Police Department Offices and all property of the 
Department and shall be responsible for the accounting of all parts, equipment, supplies, tools, and 
furniture under the control of and necessary to the operation of the Police Department. 

MATERIAL AND PRODUCTS HANDLED: 
Police Department equipment including but not limited to ammunition, firearms, handcuffs, fingerprint 
powders, brushes, tape, film, pepper mace, latex and plastic gloves, plastic and paper bags, cotton balls, 
distilled water, and other investigation and police equipment. Office equipment includes but is not limited to 
computers, printers, printer toner, pencils, paper, pens, correction tape, staples and any other materials 
handled in the course of daily duties. 
GENERAL EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS 
• High School Diploma.
• Certified New Mexico Peace Officer, or eligible for immediate certification.
• A minimum of five (5) years experience as a supervisor or manager in a municipal police department
• Should hold or be qualified to hold an Executive Level Management Certificate through the New
Mexico Law Enforcement Academy.
• Shall complete forty (40) hours of advanced training every year in the areas of Management and
Criminology course, as mandated by the New Mexico Law Enforcement Academy.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
• Pre-employment testing: Must pass a physical, psychological examination and pre-employment drug
screen.
• Licenses: Valid New Mexico Driver’s License and clear driving record.
• Drug Testing: Position is safety sensitive and subject to random drug testing.

SKILLS:
• Ability to communicate effectively in English in both written and oral form.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and to deal
with the public in a pleasant and courteous manner.
• Must have excellent analytical, communicative, and supervisory skills.
• Must be skilled in the use of all departments issued equipment.
• Must be a skilled liaison between the Police Department and other law enforcement agencies and
Town Government.
• Knowledge: Must have considerable knowledge and understanding of all areas of police services and
all areas of police services and all local and state laws.
• Must have some knowledge of government accounting. Budgeting and auditing procedures including
procedures including procurement codes.
• Considerable knowledge in the areas of record keeping, communications, court procedures, criminal
law, property control, personnel management, police systems and equipment. Considerable
knowledge in the areas of record keeping, communications, court procedures, criminal law, civil law,
property control, personnel management, police systems and equipment. Considerable knowledge of
geography, street systems and routes for the Town of traffic codes, personal safety procedures,
principles of first aid, operation of equipment, criminal codes, department policies and procedures.
Ability to operate police vehicles, firearms, and other assigned equipment, to evaluate and determine
appropriate action in a variety of routine and emergency situations. Must be able to supervise other
personnel and have a thorough knowledge of departmental general orders and standard operating
procedures.
• Bonded: Must be able to be bonded.
• Criminal Record: No felony convictions or misdemeanors involving moral turpitude.
• Certifications: New Mexico Department of Public Safety Police Officer Certification.
• Residence: Must be permanently located in a residence within a 10 (ten) minute response time to any
call within the Town.

VEHICLES:
The official vehicle supplied to the Chief by the Town may be used only for official business and not for 
personal use. The Chief is allowed to take his unit home. The Chief is responsible for all police department 
vehicles. The Chief shall ensure that they are all well maintained mechanically and that they are kept clean
both inside and out. The Chief shall inspect all vehicles at the beginning of each tour of duty for any defects 
or missing equipment and immediately report any defects, damage or missing equipment to the Mayor or 
Town Clerk. 

COMMUNICATION:
The Town will provide the Chief with a cell phone that shall remain on at all times so that the Chief can 
respond to Town business as required. The cell phone shall not be used for personal business. 
WORK ENVIRONMENT: 
Work is performed inside and outside under variable weather conditions. Routinely exposed to the possibility 
of bodily harm. Requires arduous physical exertion under a variety of conditions. Odd work hours and oncall duty required. The noise level on patrol may be moderate to loud.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 
• Mobility factors: Walk 50%; Sit 20%; Run 5%
• Primary work position: Stand 20%; Kneel 5%; Squat 5%