The Community
Independence (population 8,585), the historic hop capital of the world is located in the heart of the Willamette
Valley in Oregon. The City is 17 miles from Salem - the State capital, 1 hour from the coast, and 1 hour from
Portland. Independence is a friendly, rural community with a rich sense of place. Independence’s lively downtown is located along the beautiful Willamette River and offers excellent antiquing, dining, and entertainment opportunities.
Independence is known for their friendly, engaged citizens, great schools and their proactive, can-do city staff.
Independence is a great place to raise a family or start a business. The City prides itself on the historic character and livability of the community. The vision statement for the City is:
Our vision is one in which Independence remains a vibrant, historic, riverfront, full-service community that celebrates its unique multi-cultural heritage and respects the environment while fostering a stable, diversified economy. It is, and will continue as, a community long-recognized for its citizen volunteerism and active participation, where neighbors know one another and take pride in their neighborhoods parks, trails and schools. Independence honors the past, celebrates the present and embraces the future.
The City was recently nominated as a finalist for the All-
American City Award. The City was also recently awarded by the
Northwest Area Foundation with the Great Strides Award, in recognition of the initiatives taken by the community to alleviate poverty. Among some of the City’s recent additions are: a new state of the art Civic Center and Police Headquarters, MINET fiber optic network, Riverview Park Amphitheater, a cinema, and the Ash Creek Trail.

The Organization
Founded in 1845 and incorporated in 1885, the City of Independence is a Charter City and has a Council-Manager form of government.
The city has a Mayor elected every two years and six Council members who are elected to staggered four-year terms.
The City has approximately 33 FTE staff members with three labor unions (Police, Public Works and Office Employees) and a FY 2013-
14 budget of $19.8 million, including $5.25 million allocated to the
General Fund. The City’s Departments include City Manager’s
Office, Finance, Police, Library, Community Development,
Economic Development, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works.
The City Council, the Mayor and staff are committed to professional and quality leadership for the benefit of the residents of
Independence. The City prides itself on providing excellent customer service, innovation, and being effective stewards of the public trust and resources,
The Police Department and Police Chief Position
The Independence Police Department is a full-service law enforcement agency with a Police Chief, 3 sergeants,
8 full-time officers, 13 reserve and cadet officers, 2 full-time office staff, and numerous volunteers. The 2013-
14 departmental budget is $2.3 million.
The current Police Chief is retiring after serving for twenty-six (26) years as the City of Independence’s Police
Chief.
The Mission Statement of the Police Department is:
To enhance community livability by protecting the safety, health, and welfare of all people while providing professional, efficient, and fair law enforcement that is strengthened through problem solving partnerships with the community.
The department goals for the current fiscal year include:

Continue raising funds to establish a Drug
Detection Canine Program for the department.

Find a way to reconnect with the Schools.

Put a renewed emphasis on Community
Policing.

Start the process to become an accredited department through Oregon.
The Police Chief administers and directs all law enforcement operations and police service programs with a community-oriented policy and problem solving philosophy. He/she performs law enforcement, emergency management and crime prevention work, including patrol and investigation as necessary. The

position communicates with the public in matters of public safety and concerns. The Police Chief serves as a member of the City’s management team.
Essential duties and responsibilities of the position are:

Plans, directs and evaluates the activities, operations and goals of the Police Department to provide maximum protection and service to the community; including patrol, crime prevention, investigation, traffic control, community services, police records and emergency services.

Prepares annual departmental budget proposal and administers the Police Department budget; maintains and monitors appropriate budgeting and expenditure controls.

Manages the development and implementation of law enforcement related municipal ordinances, internal regulations and policies to further departmental and City goals; ensures compliance with departmental policies, as well as federal, state and local laws.
 Acts as the City’s Emergency Manager including developing emergency operations plans, policies and procedures; maintaining the City’s Emergency
Operations Center; and serving as Incident Commander during an emergency drill or actual emergency.

Directs and develops short and long range plans, goals and objectives for assigned operations.

Develops and administers training programs to assure that all personnel are adequately trained to perform duties. Develops and promotes adherence to safety rules, regulations and practices.

Manages and assists in the supervision of major incidents, crimes or accidents. Ensures City officials are properly informed of activities

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other public safety agencies, City departments, and the general public. Maintains communication with media representatives to ensure cooperative effort and accurate reporting of activities.

Prepares activity and other reports for the City Manager and City Council.

Assigns, supervises and evaluates work of subordinates. Interviews, hires, promotes and terminates police personnel subject to authority and limitations provided by City’s personnel policies.

Initiates and oversees internal investigations of public complaints and allegations of departmental employee misconduct. Provides corrective action as needed. Responds to complaints and inquiries regarding department operations and policies.

Represents the City on committees regarding public safety issues. Makes presentations to and maintains liaison with community groups to provide information and receive input regarding police services and operations. Participates in community and civic events to foster community goodwill.


Maintains professional proficiency by attending conferences and meetings, reading professional journals, and networking with other law enforcement professionals.

Performs law enforcement activities, such as patrol, investigations, transport, responding to complaints, etc., writing warnings and citations as appropriate, and preparing reports of activities, typically during times of emergency, personnel shortage or need for additional personnel.
The Ideal Candidate
The new Police Chief must be a professional and dedicated leader who can work in a team environment and serve as an integral member of the City’s management team. He/she needs to be an outstanding communicator both orally and in writing. The ideal candidate will be an experienced law enforcement professional who is visibly active in the community and represents the City in a positive manner and who is willing and able to embrace and support City goals. The Police Chief will be required to live within a 20 minute emergency response time within one year of appointment to the position.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of practices, principles, procedures, regulations and techniques of law enforcement; current legislation and laws of the local, state and federal governments that affect the Police Department; fiscal management, including budget preparation expenditure control and recordkeeping; management and supervisory principles and practices; principles and techniques of public administration and municipal government.
Skill in planning, coordinating, directing and evaluating the operations of the Police Department; interpreting, understanding and applying technical reports, statutes, rules and regulations; evaluating work priorities, procedures and processes to determine their effectiveness and efficiency; analyzing situations quickly and objectively, to recognize actual and potential danger and determine the proper course of action.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner; represent the City professionally and effectively in meetings with others; establish and maintain effective working relationships; handle critical emergency situations in a professional, effective and efficient manner; develop departmental goals and objectives.
Education and Experience:
This position requires a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, police science, public administration or closely related field; and at least six years of law enforcement experience with at least three years in a management/administrative position; or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Licenses & Certificates:

Must be currently certified as a Police Officer in Oregon or must obtain certification no later than 18 months after accepting such employment;

Possession of or ability to obtain DPSST Management Certificate within two (2) years of accepting employment as Police Chief; and

 Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon driver’s license within the first 30 days of employment; acceptable driving record.
Desirable Requirements:
 A Master’s degree from an accredited university in criminal justice, police science, public administration or closely related field.

Current DPSST Management or Executive Certification.

Completion of FBI National Academy or equivalent advanced training institute.

Previous experience in an Oregon municipality in a similar capacity.
Compensation
The established salary range for the Police Chief position is $70,608 to $94,632. The starting salary will be dependent on experience and qualifications. An attractive benefit package is also provided, including employer paid medical, dental and vision insurance, statutory life insurance, long-term disability, and AD& D coverage.
In addition, the City pays the full retirement contribution to Oregon PERS.
How to Apply
If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please submit a cover letter indicating your specific interest in this position; a detailed professional resume that identifies the relevant qualifications and experiences outlined in this position profile; a completed City of Independence Employment Application (found on the
City’s website at www.ci.independence.or.us
); and a list of five professional references. Send the cover letter, resume, application and references to Independence Police Chief Recruitment, c/o MWVCOG, 100 High Street
SE – Suite 200, Salem, OR 97301 or e-mail to nboyer@mwvcog.org
. Please note that original, signed
Employment Applications must be mailed. The closing date is Tuesday, January 21, 2014.
Veteran’s Preference – The City of Independence provides qualifying Veterans and Disabled Veterans with employment preference in accordance with Oregon law. Veterans may claim preference by submitting a
Veteran’s Preference Form (available on the City Website at www.ci.independence.or.us
) and the required documentation with his/her application material.
Following the closing date, applicants will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above. Finalists will be invited to participate in an Assessment Center which may be followed by an interview with the City
Manager. Background/reference investigations, drug screening, and medical and psychological evaluations will be required of the successful candidate.
The City of Independence is an Equal Opportunity Employer