Director

The City of Dallas is looking for a dynamic leader to ensure accountability and transparency in policing.

About Dallas

Dallas is the ninth-largest city in the United States and the third-largest in Texas, with over 1.3 million residents. The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area, commonly known as the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex, has 120 cities and a population of more than 7 million residents and is the No. 1 visitor and leisure destination in Texas.

The region is proud of its diverse neighborhoods and attracts residents desiring an affordable and active urban lifestyle. Dallas is a hub of art, entertainment, and education.

The Dallas Arts District is the largest urban arts district in the United States. The DFW region is the home of six major sports franchises, and Dallas is a leader in education access and opportunity with more than 40 higher education institutions.

About the Office of Community Police Oversight

The Office of Community Police Oversight (OCPO) was established on April 24, 2019, by the Dallas City Council through Ordinance No.31192 under Article XXII, Chapter 2 of the Dallas City Code with the purpose of providing support and technical assistance to the Community Police Oversight Board. The Director will lead staff to develop and implement standard operating procedures to ensure that all duties are carried out in a professional, thorough, and objective manner.

The mission of OCPO is to ensure civilian complaints are reviewed impartially to enhance the transparency and trust between the City of Dallas, the Dallas Police Department, and the community. To help ensure this accountability, the OCPO will provide functional support and technical assistance to the Community Police Oversight Board (CPOB), formerly known as the Civilian Review Board.

About the Community Police Oversight Board

The mission of the Community Police Oversight Board is to enhance the public’s trust that complaints of misconduct against departmental employees are conducted fair and thoroughly, are transparent, and ensure City of Dallas residents have an accessible means to the complaint process. The duties of the Board are as follows:

• Ensure fair acceptance and processing of external administrative complaints.
• Review facts and evidence of a critical or external administrative complaint against a police officer.
• Direct the monitor (Office of Community Police Oversight) to initiate an independent administrative investigation.
• Engage in community outreach.
• Take sworn testimony from witnesses.
• Accept written complaints from members of the public.
• Request the City Manager to review disciplinary action taken by the Chief of Police.
• Recommend to the City Manager and Chief of Police improvements to Departmental procedures, practices, training, and early warning systems.

Position Summary

The Director of the Office of Community Police Oversight will lead the Office. The Director, appointed by the City Manager, provides integral leadership of the Office and works to support and collaborate with the Community Police Oversight Board. The Director works closely with the City Manager’s Office, Dallas Police Chief, and other City departments, as necessary, to ensure continued accountability, transparency, and input from the community regarding community police oversight in Dallas.

The starting annual salary range for this position is $125,854.96 - $157,318.70. The amount offered will depend upon the selected candidate’s qualifications.

Essential Functions of the Position

The functions of the Director of the Office of Community Police Oversight include the following:

• Manages and directs the Office of Community Police Oversight.
• Provides functional support to the Board and supports the Board’s efforts to promote transparency and accountability to foster community relationships with the Dallas Police Department.
• Ensures that the Board can fulfill its duties.
• Accepts complaints filed by members of the public against Dallas police officers.
• Explains police complaint procedures and processes to members of the public.
• Facilitates mediated resolution process between a complainant and Dallas police officers.
• Monitors Internal Affairs Division investigations into external administrative complaints against Dallas police officers.
• Initiates independent investigations, when necessary, of complaints against Dallas police officers at the conclusion of an Internal Affairs investigation.
• Monitors the Dallas Police Department’s investigation of a critical incident involving a Dallas police officer.
• Establishes priorities and direction for community engagement and communication through procedures and strategies that increase awareness of the Board.
• Supports and directs timely and effective utilization of available services and commitment to community collaboration and education.
• Plans, administers, and directs the overall activities, management, operation, and coordination of Office efforts within the community; ensures the communication of the Office and Board’s activities to enhance trust and transparency of services and activities.
• Evaluates and analyzes monthly management reports to make budgetary recommendations and to make strategic decisions; facilitates strong budget development that supports goals and initiatives of the Office.
• Directs managerial staff, which includes hiring, training, performance evaluations, and other personnel actions to ensure productivity and quality standards are maintained.
• Oversees general administration of the Office, including the department's operating budget, with a review of significant variances to resolve budgetary problems or personnel issues.
• Identifies areas of quality management to enhance productivity through improved work procedures, practices, communication, and accountability.
• Prepares and delivers presentations to an appropriate city council committee, the public, and the Board.
• Represents the City at local, state, and national organizations and at professional activities to maintain the image of the City and create public support for departmental programs.
• Performs any and all other work as needed or assigned.

Position Qualifications

The qualified applicant will have a Bachelor's Degree in Business, Criminal Justice, Finance, Public Administration, or related field. Professionally, the qualified applicant will have seven (7) years of experience in public administration, criminal justice, business, a police department, community engagement, or related area and five (5) years of experience in leading and overseeing complex organizations with demonstrated success supervising staff, developing budgets, and reporting to a Board.

The ideal candidate will have the following skills and knowledge:

• Ability to conduct impartial and fair administrative investigations.
• Knowledge of business principles, practices, and techniques used in department management, oversight, and administration.
• Knowledge of the principles of public administration, community engagement, and general police activities.
• Knowledge of principles of personnel management and ability to plan, direct, and coordinate the work of others through subordinates.
• Knowledge of community outreach and communications.
• Knowledge of police activities, operations, and management.
• Knowledge of working with various governmental entities, boards, or elected officials.
• Ability to speak publicly and build confidence and rapport.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of management, city officials, vendors, other government agencies, other employees, and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and to negotiate with technical staff, contractors, governmental agencies, city management, and residents.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an American Bar Association-accredited law school.
• Progressive experience serving as a trial attorney in the practice of criminal law, civil rights, criminal justice, or other relevant legal specialties.
• Licensed by the State Bar of Texas, in good standing.

Special Requirements

The successful candidate must be able to obtain Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Certification within 90 days of employment.

To Apply

The City of Dallas has received national accolades for being a great place to work and for being a local government that promotes equality through its policies. Among the awards are recognition as a Best Place for Working Parents and a 100% score on the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index.

The City of Dallas is partnering with POLIHIRE to identify the next Director of the Office of Community Police Oversight. Click here to review the position brochure and to apply:

DALLAS OCPO DIRECTOR PROFILE.pdf (polihire.com)