Tribal Police Sergeant

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the general direction of the Chief of Police, the Tribal Police Sergeant is a first-line law enforcement supervisor responsible for supervising, directing, and evaluating the activities of sworn police officers and other assigned personnel. The Sergeant provides leadership during daily operations, responds to critical incidents, ensures compliance with Tribal, federal, and applicable California laws, and promotes professional and ethical law enforcement services throughout the Tribal community.

The Sergeant serves as a working supervisor and is expected to perform patrol and law enforcement duties while providing guidance, direction, training, and oversight to subordinate personnel.

The position requires sound judgment, strong leadership, knowledge of tribal law enforcement operations, and the ability to work effectively with Tribal leadership, Tribal members, employees, residents, visitors, and outside law enforcement agencies.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

SUPERVISION AND LEADERSHIP:

• Supervise, direct, and evaluate assigned police officers and other department personnel.
• Assign officers to patrol, calls for service, special assignments, investigations, traffic enforcement, and other operational duties.
• Monitor officer performance and ensure compliance with department policies, procedures, rules, and directives.
• Conduct roll calls, shift briefings, inspections, and operational meetings.
• Provide coaching, counseling, training, and corrective direction when appropriate.
• Prepare performance evaluations, reports, recommendations, and disciplinary documentation.
• Ensure officers maintain professional conduct, appearance, equipment, and readiness for duty.
• Review reports and other official documentation for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with department requirements.
• Address personnel and operational issues promptly and notify the Chief of Police of significant matters.

TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Enforce applicable Tribal laws, ordinances, codes, policies, and regulations within the department's jurisdiction.
• Understand and operate within the jurisdictional framework applicable to Tribal law enforcement in California.
• Coordinate enforcement activities involving Tribal, federal, state, county, and municipal authorities as appropriate.
• Maintain professional working relationships with neighboring law enforcement agencies, county Sheriff's Offices, California Highway Patrol, federal agencies, District Attorneys' Offices, and other public safety organizations.
• Assist with matters involving concurrent or overlapping jurisdiction and ensure appropriate notification and coordination.
• Support the sovereign governmental interests and public safety responsibilities of the Tribe while maintaining professional law enforcement standards.
• Assist Tribal leadership with public safety matters and provide accurate information regarding significant law enforcement incidents.

COMMUNITY POLICY:

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with Tribal members, Tribal leadership, employees, community organizations, and surrounding communities.
• Promote community-oriented policing and problem-solving strategies.
• Identify recurring public safety problems and develop appropriate enforcement or prevention strategies.
• Attend community meetings and public safety events as assigned.
• Respond professionally and respectfully to community concerns and complaints.
• Promote trust, transparency, accountability, and professionalism within the Tribal Police Department.

CRITICAL INCIDENT AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:

• Respond to and supervise major incidents, including:
  • Homicides
  • Assaults
  • Domestic violence incidents
  • Officer-involved shootings
  • Major traffic collisions
  • Missing persons
  • Search and rescue operations
  • Natural disasters
  • Active threats
  • Mass casualty incidents
  • Hazardous incidents
  • Other emergencies
• Establish command and coordinate resources during emergencies when appropriate.
• Request assistance from neighboring agencies and emergency services when necessary.
• Ensure appropriate preservation of crime scenes and evidence.
• Ensure command staff and appropriate Tribal officials are notified of significant incidents.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support command staff in implementing department policies, procedures, and operational directives at the shift level.
• Prepare shift-level reports, staffing recommendations, and operational information for command review.
• Manage assigned-shift staffing and deployment and communicate overtime or coverage needs to command staff.
• Monitor department equipment, vehicles, firearms, technology, and other operational resources.
• Participate in recruitment, background investigations, interviews, hiring processes, and promotional processes as assigned.
• Assist with grant programs, equipment purchases, and public safety projects when assigned.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive law enforcement, personnel, investigative, and Tribal information.
• Ensure compliance with applicable records-management and information-security requirements.