Police Chief- Sycuan Tribal Police Department

TheSycuan Tribal Police Department is seeking an experienced, visionary, and community-focusedTribal Police Chief to serve as the department's senior law enforcement executive. This is an exceptional opportunity for a proven public safety leader to guide a progressive Tribal police agency, strengthen community partnerships, and protect the safety, security, and sovereignty of the Sycuan Tribal Community.

Job Purpose: 

The Tribal Police Chief serves as the senior law enforcement executive, providing strategic vision, executive leadership, and expert counsel to the Tribal Council on matters related to public safety, law enforcement operations, emergency preparedness and response, community engagement, intergovernmental relations, regulatory compliance, and the protection of Tribal sovereignty. The Tribal Police Chief fosters collaborative partnerships with Tribal, federal, state, and local agencies to advance public safety objectives, strengthen community trust, and support the long-term safety, security, and well-being of the Tribal community. 

Job Duties and Responsibilities: 

(Note: Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at the sole discretion of Sycuan Management at any time) 

Strategic Leadership: 

• Maintains effective working relationships with Tribal officials and Tribal members, employees, the public, and external agencies by acting as a liaison between various individuals and groups, assessing and resolving conflicts as needed, and communicating with the Tribal Council regarding issues that require further attention 

• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with federal, state, local, and Tribal public safety agencies, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), United States Attorney's Office, San Diego County District Attorney's Office, San Diego County Sheriff's Office, neighboring law enforcement agencies, and police associations. 

• Ensure the department remains informed of emerging law enforcement trends, legislative changes, and best practices impacting Tribal policing, public safety, and community engagement. 

Community Engagement: 

• Promote a progressive, service-oriented policing philosophy that emphasizes trust, transparency, accountability, cultural awareness, and collaborative problem-solving. 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with all Tribal and community leaders, organizations, and residents to enhance trust, transparency, and collaboration between the police department and the public. 

• Maintain a visible, approachable, and engaged presence throughout the Tribal community by regularly interacting with Tribal Members, Elders Community, Youth events, community groups, and other stakeholders. 

•  Develop initiatives that strengthen positive relationships between the Tribal Police Department and the broader community while enhancing public confidence in law enforcement services. 

• Collaborates with internal departments and community partners to organize and support educational, outreach, and community engagement events, including but not limited to Coffee with a Cop, Holiday toy drives, and similar initiatives. 

• Acts as a police presence at major public events to ensure public safety 

• Implement community-oriented policing practices to address Tribal community needs and concerns. 

Departmental Management: 

• Maintains efficient operation of Tribal Police Department by monitoring and directing department activities, budgeting and managing department expenses, and assuming command of incidents of major importance or of a sensitive nature. 

• Oversee all operational aspects of the police department, including patrol, investigations, special units, and support services. 

• Ensure departmental compliance with all applicable Tribal, federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, standards, and reporting requirements. 

• Oversee compliance with Special Law Enforcement Commissions (SLECs), Bureau of Indian Affairs requirements, memoranda of understanding, mutual aid agreements, and other applicable law enforcement authorities and partnerships. 

• Establish and maintain systems of accountability, risk management, operational review, and continuous improvement within department operations. 

• Develop and enforce departmental policies, procedures, and standards, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. 

• Allocate resources efficiently to ensure optimal departmental functioning. 

Personnel Development: 

• Develops employees by interviewing and selecting qualified candidates for employment, planning, organizing, and directing the work of command staff, monitoring and evaluating employee performance and initiating corrective action as needed, overseeing departmental performance review process, and approving salary and/or disciplinary decisions of subordinate supervisors. 

• Develops and recommends strategies to position Sycuan as an employer of choice, enhancing talent attraction, employer branding, and long-term workforce development initiatives. 

• Foster a culture of continuous learning, professional development, and accountability within the department. 

• Provide mentorship and guidance to command staff and officers. 

Emergency Response and Preparedness: 

• Coordinate and manage responses to emergencies, disasters, and critical incidents, ensuring effective communication and collaboration with other agencies and departments. 

• Represents Sycuan through active engagement with the Tribal Emergency Response Commission (TERC), collaborating with internal and external stakeholders on emergency preparedness, response planning, and public safety initiatives. 

• Develop and implement emergency preparedness plans and protocols consistent with Tribal Council directives. 

Budget and Resource Management: 

• Develop and manage the police department's budget, making informed decisions to ensure fiscal responsibility and effective resource allocation. 

• Identifies, pursues, and supports grant funding opportunities and other external resources to enhance departmental operations, training, recruitment, equipment acquisition, and special initiatives, including coordination with agencies such as the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and other public and private funding sources. 

Data-Driven Decision Making: 

• Utilize data and analytics to assess crime trends, allocate resources, and develop targeted crime reduction strategies. 

• Implement data-driven approaches to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness. 

External Relations: 

• Represents the Tribal Police Department in interactions with Tribal leadership, governmental agencies, community organizations, and media representatives. 

• Develops and maintains collaborative partnerships with Tribal, federal, state, and local law enforcement, emergency response, and governmental agencies to support public safety, investigations, and emergency preparedness efforts. 

• Serves as the primary liaison to external regulatory, prosecutorial, and public safety organizations, including the BIA, FBI, DOJ, U.S. Attorney's Office, and local District Attorney's Offices. 

• Participate in regional law enforcement associations, public safety committees, chiefs' associations, and interagency task forces to advance collaborative policing efforts and represent Tribal interests. 

• Acts as an official spokesperson for the Department, providing professional, transparent, and timely communication during routine operations, community events, and critical incidents. 

• Identifies and cultivates opportunities for strategic partnerships, grants, and external resources that support departmental training, recruitment, equipment, and operational initiatives. 

Job Specifications: 

Education and Experience: 

Essential: 

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Public Administration or related field or equivalent experience. 

• 10 years’ experience with a California law enforcement agency or 10 years’ experience with the Sycuan Tribal Police Department with progressive leadership responsibility. 

• Graduate of California POST certified Academy; or a Certified Academy of another state or federal government with a California POST waiver. 

Desirable: 

• Previous experience working with a federally recognized Tribal Police Department 

• Knowledge of Tribal sovereignty, Tribal governance, federal Indian law, Public Law 280, and jurisdictional considerations impacting Tribal law enforcement operations. 

• Knowledge of Special Law Enforcement Commission (SLEC) requirements, Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement policies, and intergovernmental law enforcement agreements. 

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with Tribal leadership, Tribal Members, community stakeholders, and external law enforcement agencies. 

• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance, organizational accountability, and risk management practices applicable to Tribal public safety organizations. 

Skills and Knowledge: 

Essential: 

• Strong knowledge of law enforcement principles, best practices, and community policing philosophies. 

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive community relationships. 

• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills. 

• Proficiency in budget management and resource allocation. 

• Familiarity with data analysis and technology applications in law enforcement. 

• Ability to adapt to changing situations, make informed decisions under pressure, and exhibit ethical and moral leadership. 

Desirable: 

• Bilingual – Spanish/English 

Supervisory/Managerial Accountability: 

Direct: Police Captain, Tribal Police Lieutenant, Tribal Court Clerk/Police Administrative Assistant 

Indirect: Tribal Police Sergeant, Tribal Police Corporal, Tribal Police Officer, Police Service Officer