Deputy Chief of Police

The City of Durango seeks a collaborative and forward-thinking law enforcement leader to join its police department as the Deputy Chief of Police. In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to build on the department’s achievements and drive future success. As the Deputy Chief, you’ll assist the Chief of Police in overseeing all departmental activities and operations, including field operations and patrol, criminal investigations, training programs, management services, and records management. You will work closely with other City departments and external agencies, while providing high-level administrative support to the Chief.

About the Department:

The Durango Police Department employs 82 dedicated employees, including 57 sworn officers and 25 professional staff. The department is organized into three bureaus: Patrol, Support Services, and Administration. The Patrol and Support Services Bureaus are each led by a Commander, while the Administrative Bureau is led by a Police Administrative Manager—all report to the Deputy Chief of Police. The department operates with an annual budget of $11.2 million and receives dispatch from the Durango-La Plata Emergency Communications Center.

Accredited by the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, the Durango Police Department actively participates in leading law enforcement programs, such as the 30×30 Initiative, Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Project, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Trust Building Campaign, and Integrating Communications Assessment and Tactics (ICAT) certification for our officers.

Our mission is to improve community safety and quality of life by reducing crime and its perception. We are committed to serving our diverse community with respect, dignity, integrity, and the utmost moral and ethical character. Driven by the ambition to become the premier law enforcement agency in the southwest region of Colorado, we leverage innovation and cutting-edge technologies. We focus on developing, retaining, and investing in the success of our team members. Through community engagement, we collaborate with citizens and local partners to address issues and improve quality of life, making Durango the best place to live, work, and play.

Essential Job Duties

Working independently within the goals established by the Police Chief, the Deputy Chief of Police oversees staff both directly and through assigned managers. In this role, you will:

• Plan, manage, and evaluate Police Department operations to ensure efficient and effective law enforcement.
• Assist in the development and implementation of Police Department goals, objectives, and policies.
• Receive, review, and analyze reports; take corrective action when necessary.
• Oversee the department’s promotion, recruitment, and selection processes.
• Assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility to appropriate staff.
• Provide or coordinate staff training.
• Assist with the development and administration of the Police Department budget; participate in forecasting funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; administer the approved budget.
• Oversee internal affairs investigations, update the Chief on their status, review completed investigations, and make disposition recommendations.
• Respond to major and critical crime and emergency scenes to monitor or command operations.
• Provide truthful, unreserved, and credible testimony in all judicial proceedings.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings and conferences to stay abreast of new trends in law enforcement.
• Represent the Police Department to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies.
• In the absence of the Chief, prepare staff reports and agenda documentation to present to boards and City Council.
• May act as the Chief of Police in the Chief’s absence.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in criminal justice, law enforcement, public administration, or a closely related field.
• Experience: Ten (10) years of increasingly responsible command-level law enforcement experience. Or a combination of education training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the position duties and responsibilities.
• Certification: Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a valid Peace Officer Standards and Testing (POST) certificate for the State of Colorado.

Who We Are Looking For:

We are looking for an exceptional leader to help shape the future of our agency. Our ideal candidate possesses fluency and proven experience with today’s policing methods and challenges, including interactions with unhoused populations, investment in diversity, and effective evaluation and adoption of new technologies. In addition, you bring a strong track record in:

• Transformational Leadership: Your ability to foster a positive and highly motivated work culture sets you apart. You lead by example, creating an environment where teamwork, integrity, and excellence thrive.
• Strategic Planning & Vision: You embrace a forward-thinking approach, always planning for the future while effectively managing current operations. Your strategic vision aligns with the department’s goals and drives long-term success.
• Community Engagement: You recognize the Durango Police Department’s vital role within the community and are dedicated to strengthening these connections. By promoting partnerships with citizens, businesses, and organizations, you enhance trust and transparency. You believe that legitimate police authority is earned through the trust of the community we serve.
• Innovation & Technological Development: You stay ahead of emerging technological trends, identifying and integrating best practices that enhance the quality, efficiency, and safety of our services. You are committed to expanding digital technology management and continually improving our technological infrastructure.
• Proactive, Hands-On Problem Solving: You are a proactive leader, addressing issues before they escalate. Your hands-on approach ensures problems are solved swiftly and effectively, maintaining the department’s high standards.
• Continuous Learning & Development: You are committed to the ongoing professional growth of both your team and yourself. You attend and participate in conferences, professional meetings, and other educational opportunities to stay informed about the latest advancements in law enforcement.

What We Can Offer You:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Ample personal time off (PTO) accruals ranging from 23-31 days per year, depending on years of service.
• Eleven (11) paid holidays.
• 401(a) retirement plan and optional deferred compensation plan.  
• Basic life insurance and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) coverage.  
• Long-term disability coverage.
• Paid Family and Medical Leave (FMLA).
• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP).  
• Guidance, coaching, and confidential support for mental well-being through our Resiliency Program.
• Free access to the Durango Community Recreation Center and Chapman Hill Ice Rink & Ski Area.
• Holistic Employee Wellness Program, addressing physical, mental, financial, and professional well-being.
• Free transit pass and family member discounts.  
• Reimbursement for job-related classes to foster continuous learning.  
• Sixteen hours of volunteer time off per year to support local non-profit organizations.