Chief of Police

 

Reports to: Winnebago Public Safety Commission                                                                                                                                                         Effective: 6/13/25 

Salary (Grade): $123,501/Yr.                                                                                                                                                                                           Status: Reg. Full-Time (Exempt)

Location: Winnebago Tribal Police Department in Winnebago, NE 

 

 Job Purpose Summary & Position Overview: 

The Chief of Police is the Director of Law Enforcement and the Chief Administrator of the Winnebago Tribal Police Department. The Chief of Police is appointed by the Winnebago Public Safety Commission. The Chief of Police is responsible for policy development, control, supervision, and program operations of the police department and is accountable for the effective delivery of law enforcement services to the community of the Winnebago Tribe. The goal of the Department is to serve the Tribal members residing within the exterior boundaries of the Winnebago reservation by reducing crime, protecting and serving community members and the territory while continuing community partnerships and programs. 

•          Subject to the oversight of the Winnebago Public Safety Commission, the Chief of Police will have control of the management of the police department. While the Chief of Police may delegate and assign functions in the police department, he/she is ultimately responsible for completion of these functions. 

•          Work with Winnebago Public Safety Commission to create community partnerships ensuring better understanding of the needs of citizens to improve trust between law enforcement and residents. 

•          Develop collaborative partnerships between the law enforcement agency and the community to develop solutions to problems and increase trust in police. 

•          In conjunction with the Winnebago Public Safety Commission, determine the department's organizational structure and staffing levels. 

•          When necessary, initiate the process to remove, suspend or take disciplinary action in accordance with the Winnebago Public Safety Commission Act. 

•          Work closely with the Winnebago Public Safety Commission and accounting department to ensure department strategies are forecasted correctly. 

•          Develop short, intermediate and long-range plans with recommendations to the Winnebago Public Safety Commission regarding departmental needs and tribal laws. 

•          Ensure annual and semiannual evaluations of Departmental staff, with Supervisors assistance, are conducted and report outcomes of evaluations to the Winnebago Public Safety Commission. 

•          Attend Winnebago Public Safety Commission meetings and community meetings as requested in order to report on the status of the Department, budget, evaluations and other issues within the community. 

•          Review the investigations conducted on civilian complaints and forward to the Winnebago Public Safety Commission with appropriate recommendations. 

•          Conduct regular inspections and ensure maintenance of the Department's facilities, supplies, and equipment. 

•          Recommend an annual budget to the Winnebago Public Safety Commission and approve the expenditure of these funds. 

•          Manage Department budget, including submission of annual budget and reports in accordance with deadlines and processes established by Winnebago Tribal Administration. 

•          Analyze data to understand budgetary implications for programs, budget variances and make budget adjustments as appropriate. 

•          Recommend and assist in the preparation of proposals for federal and state grants and other funding opportunities. 

•          Maintain or cause to be maintained. a complete record of service of all Department members and all records as required by the Winnebago Tribe Human Resources Department. 

•          Interview and evaluate applicants for department jobs and make hiring  decisions. 

•          Assigns work schedules for all Department staff. 

•          Implement and enforce all applicable Tribal and Department policies, rules, and regulations. 

•          Ensure proper training and professional development of Law Enforcement and civilian staff under his/her supervision. 

•          Maintain professional staff through recruitment and a satisfactory level of training to meet Tribal Police requirements comparable to BIA and other law enforcement agencies and assure certification of officers by the State and the B.I.A Special Law Enforcement Commission. 

•          Provide leadership and supervision of staff and maintain satisfactory level of morale.  

•          Monitor investigations and make referrals to court. 

•          Maintain and submit reports on crime statistics and police services as required. 

•          Ensure control of records and physical security of all assets coming into the possession of the department though periodic inventories, audits, and oversight provided by records control designee assigned by the Chief of Police. 

•          Serve as liaisons with representatives of State, federal, and other local law enforcement and related agencies to maintain appropriate and effective relationships  and communication. 

•          Provide reports to appropriate government agencies as required. 

•          Encourage residents to participate with law enforcement in order to keep their own community safe. 

•          Assist in planning for other public safety services, such as fire, court, disaster planning, etc. 

•          Other related duties as assigned. 

 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

 

Strong oral and written communication skills required in conjunction with the following: 

·         U.S. Citizenship Required 

·         Complete OMB form 1386 Background Survey Questionnaire. 

·         Applicant is subject to full background check of employment history, criminal records, and FBI files. Applicant must also adhere to Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska drug screening polices 

·         Complete the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska Pre-Employment/Investigation form 

·         Law Enforcement Certification is required. 

·         Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of modern police administration and police methods. 

·         Thorough knowledge of state statutes and codes, federal guidelines and protocols, and local ordinances and tribal law relating to law enforcement. 

·         Extensive knowledge of the standards by which the quality of police service is evaluated and the use of police records and their application to police administration. 

·         Knowledge of budgetary practices and procedures. 

·         Experienced in the use of computers with standard office software. 

·         Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of subordinates performing varied operations connected with police activities. 

·         Develop proper training and instructional procedures. 

·         Accurately assess the potential consequences of alternative courses of action and select the one, which is most acceptable and appropriate. 

·         Recognize potentially dangerous situations and to act decisively to protect persons and property from harm. 

·         Prepare and present concise and meaningful oral and written material relating to the activities of the Department. 

·         Create and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, Winnebago Tribal Council, Tribal officials, department heads, State and Federal authorities, and civic leaders. 

·         Deal effectively with the public and provide appropriate referrals to other social service agencies. 

·         Work under physically and emotionally stressful situations. 

·         Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. 

·         The ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. 

 

Education Required:  

·         Bachelor's degree from four-year College or University in Law Enforcement, Police Administration, Criminal Justice, or related field and ten (10) years related supervisory experience relating to supervision of a Native American law enforcement agency together with training, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

·         OPTION: Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in criminal justice, police science, public administration or a related field and/or five years of command or supervisory experience in law enforcement equivalent of Lieutenant, Commander, Captain or above; or an equivalent combination of education and five years of experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job as listed above. Minimum education is a high school diploma. 

Licenses & Registrations 

·         All applicants will comply with 45 CFR 1301, Subpart D, Section 1301.31, C and D, which require all prospective employees to sign a declaration prior to employment regarding all arrests and convictions of child abuse or violent felonies, and to comply with PL 101-630 and PL 101-637 regarding criminal records check. 

·         Incumbent is required to operate a government motor vehicle, must possess a valid driver's license, and have a safe driving record within the 4 year period immediately preceding. 

·         Candidate must comply, in accordance with 25 C.F.R. Subpart D, § 12.32, successfully pass a thorough background investigation; and comply with the provisions of the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act (ICPFVPA), 25 U.S.C. §§ 3201-3211 and 18 U.S.C. § 1169; 25 C.F.R. Part 63; and Winnebago Tribal Police Department code of conduct and ethics. 

·         FIREARMS REQUIREMENT: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner or child; or 8) convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. 

Physical Requirements: 

·         Regularly required to (without aid) talk, hear, smell, and taste. 

·         Regularly required to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time and use of both hands (and feet) to operate keyboard, phone, various office equipment, firearms, and vehicles. 

·         Manual dexterity with cooperatively free range of motion of all extremities including neck, finger, hand, wrist, elbow, arm, shoulder, waist, legs, hip, knee joints, ankle, and feet is required. 

·         The applicant will frequently be subject to physical exertion involving standing, walking, and running which requires sustained and considerable strength and endurance. 

·         The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
 
 

·   Very Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee is required to maintain a level of physical fitness to meet department standards. Correct visual acuity to 20/20. 

 

 

Special Conditions: 

·         Must be at least 21 years of age. 

·         If claiming veteran status, DD Form 214 is required for verification. 

·         Sign a service contract with the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. 

·         Provide verification if claiming Native American Preference. 

·         Must be able to pass a medical examination and the Physical Efficiency Battery Test on an annual basis as part of a physical examination. Any physical condition, which would deem the applicant to be a hazard to him/herself or others will automatically disqualify him/her from selection. 

·         If selected, the applicant must obtain a clear/favorable background check, prior to obtaining a start date, including afull background check of employment history, criminal records, and FBI files. 

·         Subject to a full psychological analysis by qualified physicians to determine mental and emotional stability. 

·         Drug Testing. This position is subject to both pre-employment and random drug testing as a condition of employment. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received. 

Work Environment: 

·         The environment involves high risks with exposure to potentially dangerous situations including physical attack or attack with deadly weapons. Both indoor and outdoor assignments are involved with frequent prolonged exposure to inclement weather. The officer may be required to work extended or irregular hours, including nights, weekends and holidays with frequently rotating shifts. Assignments are subject to change without advance notice. There is ever-present danger of injury and/or death from physical assault or accident in the line of duty. 

·         Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting; strength and mobility to operate a motor vehicle and take command at an incident or emergency scene; strength and stamina to lift and carry 25 pounds; vision to observe emergency scenes and investigations and to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups and over the telephone and/or radio. 

·         Attends meetings and trainings at various sites within and away from the reservation. Must successfully pass a background investigation in accordance with federal requirements. Must be willing to work extended shifts or be called back in emergency situations and work with exposure to difficult circumstances, including exposure to dangerous situations, hazardous materials and all weather conditions. 

·         To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and /or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

·         Work Schedule: Compressed/Flexible Schedule. Candidates must be willing to work weekends, irregular work hours and extended hours if determined by the needs of the department. 

Mental Requirements: 

·         Must be mentally fit for duty 

·         Reading, writing, calculating 

·         Above average social interaction skills 

·         Reasoning/Analysis 

·         Above average cognitive abilities to address situations in high stress environments 

Language Requirements: 

·         Must possess the ability to read, write, and speak the English language fluently. 

·         Must have the ability to continually and effectively employ professional verbal and written communication skills. 

 

HOW TO APPLY: 

·         Submit an application at www.winnebagotribe.com, a resume, cover letter, and two (3) letters of recommendation are required. Applications submitted after the closing date or without proper documents will not be considered. 

·         If claiming Native American or Veteran preference, please include pertinent documentation. 

·         Call Human Resources at 402-878-2272 for further information.