Position Profile

Chief of Police
Position Profile
WATAUGA POLICE DEPARTMENT MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Watauga Police Department is to provide the highest quality police
services while safeguarding individual liberties and building positive community relationships.
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The City of Watauga is a desirable community in North Texas because of its low
crime rate, highly-rated school districts, excellent location and affordable housing.
It is located minutes away from major interstate highways, DFW International
Airport and Alliance Airport. The City has about 24,000 residents and a dynamic
business and residential community. It partners economic growth with an outstanding civic atmosphere. In 2008, CNNMoney.com named Watauga as having the
second best affordable housing in the nation. Education is a major contributor to
the quality of life in Watauga. The City is served by the award winning Keller Independent School District (KISD) and Birdville Independent School District (BISD).
The City of Watauga operates under a Home Rule Charter providing for the
Council-Manager form of government. The City is governed by a City Council
composed of the Mayor and seven (7) Council Members, all elected at large for two year terms. Watauga is a
full-service city that provides a wide range of municipal services including City Administration, City Secretary,
Human Resources, Information Technology, Utility Billing, Community Development, Finance, Municipal
Court, Police, Fire, Animal Control, Library, Parks and Community Services.
Greg Vick serves as City Manager and brings over 35 years of progressive City
Management experience along with a transparent and participatory form of
management. The management team is comprised of the City’s nine (9)
department heads who enjoy a cooperative working relationship.
The Watauga Police Department is a premier police department with high ethical standards. The Watauga
Police Department’s 2014 annual budget is $4,962,450 which is comprised of the City’s General Fund
($2,965,150), Watauga Crime Control and Prevention District ($1,440,140) and Traffic Safety Fund
($557,160). The Chief of Police reports to and consults with the City Manager in determining plans and
policies of police operations, but directs, plans, and manages all functions and operations of the Police
Department in the enforcement of laws and ordinances, the prevention of crime, and protection of life and
property.
The Police Department’s major divisions of Administration, Animal Control, Traffic
Safety, Patrol, Investigations, Professional Standards and Records. The Watauga Police
Department is comprised of the following positions: (1) Police Chief, (1) Assistant Police
Chief, (2) Lieutenants, (7) Sergeants, (3) Detectives, (27) Officers and (22) other full
time and part time employees in the Records, Animal Control, Community Services and
Support Services divisions. Positions below the rank of Assistant Chief are state Civil
Service.
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The Police Department also manages and provides special programs such as school resource officers, crime
victims, bike patrol, K-9, Explorers Program and Citizens Police Academy. Watauga Police Department uses
social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Nextdoor.com to enhance communication with citizens and
other agencies. The City of Watauga is part of a shared services agreement with the City of North Richland
Hills for its jail and dispatch services. The neighboring cities involved in this agreement are North Richland
Hills, Haltom City and Richland Hills.
The City of Watauga is looking for a Chief of Police with a proven track record and strong credentials in the
law enforcement field, with a focus on community oriented policing. The ideal candidate should have
strong communication, presentation and public relations skills. He/she should have a
proactive approach in reducing, preventing, and solving crimes and the ability to utilize leading edge law
enforcement technology and procedures. Residency within City limits is not required.
The ideal candidate will have a strong command presence and maintain leadership and confidence in the
department. He/she must be able to establish and maintain a positive working environment which results
in quality, creativity and team work. The incumbent will need to hold employees accountable, yet also be
approachable and a consensus builder who creates a positive work environment. An ideal Chief will recruit
and retain qualified personnel at all departmental levels consistent with laws and regulations . He/she will
also maintain professional standards of the department with the implementation of training programs for
new and existing employees.
The candidate will need to assure fiscal responsibility and the creative use of limited resources.
Watauga’s new chief will prepare and update
short and long range strategic plans to ensure
the Department’s contribution to the City’s overall plans and strategies. In addition, the new
Chief must establish and maintain cooperative
relationships with neighboring and regional law
enforcement agencies.
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Chief Lowell Cannaday, former Police Chief in the City of Irving and former Assistant Chief in the City of
Dallas , announced his retirement in June 2014 after serving as Watauga’s Police Chief since 2011. Chief
Cannaday will be assisting during the transition of the next Chief.
On-going projects include:
 Maintain Texas Police Chief’s Recognition Program
 Continue to identify and implement top quality leadership and supervision training
 Monitor and continue to development of department’s strategic plan
 Identify employee career development needs and develop plan to address those needs
 Ensure department’s commitment to Community Policing is maintained
 Expand social media capabilities through Facebook, TIP 411 and Nextdoor.com
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS
A successful candidate should have a Bachelor's degree in Police Science, Criminal Justice or a related field
(preferred) and a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible work in law enforcement, five (5)
of which must have been at the level of Lieutenant or higher. The candidate must possess certification by
the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) at the Master level. Experience with state Civil Service
is preferred. The candidate must possess a valid Texas driver’s license.
COMPENSATION
Compensation is competitive and will depend on the qualifications of the successful applicant. Full-time
employee benefits include 13 Paid Holidays, 15 Vacation Days and 15 Sick Days annually; Longevity Pay;
Texas Municipal Retirement System - City matches 2:1, 5 years vesting; Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance , AD&D Insurance, and Long Term Disability, which are provided at the City's expense. City car provided for official business. Cellular telephone allowance. Pay Range $86,105 - $137, 768
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HOW TO APPLY
Qualified applicants should submit letter of interest, a detailed resume of qualifications, a response to the
three (3) supplemental questions (below) and a list of references (two (2) personal and four (4) professional) to Marcia Reyna, Human Resources & Civil Service Director, by 5pm on July 31, 2014 (first review, open
until filled). Applications will be accepted via U.S. mail, fax or email. The City of Watauga is an Equal
Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of its workforce. Finalist will be subject to a
comprehensive background check, physical evaluation and drug screen. A psychological evaluation maybe
required if there is a break in service of 180 day or more. References will not be contacted until applicant
is notified.
For additional information on this outstanding opportunity, please contact:
Marcia Reyna, Human Resources & Civil Service Director
City of Watauga
7105 Whitley Road
Watauga, TX 76148
Direct Line 817.514.5819 I Fax 817.514.5859 I mreyna@wataugatx.org
Supplemental Questions:
Limit your responses to no more than a single page per question and submit your answers as part of your
application.
1) Explain why you are interested in this position and why it is a good time in your career to become Chief
of Police for the City of Watauga.
2) What keeps you motivated, enthusiastic and challenged as a law enforcement professional and why?
3) Tell us about a project that you managed that you consider to be your proudest achievement in law
enforcement.
Reference Material
City of Watauga Annual Budget FY 2013-14 Budget
City of Watauga Home Rule Charter
City of Watauga Police Department Website
THE CITY OF WATAUGA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
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