JOB TITLE: STATE POLICE CAPTAIN

JOB CODE: 74060

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The State Police officer job series describes work in enforcing laws and providing for the public safety of the commonwealth’s citizens and visitors.

DEFINITION: This is advanced law enforcement work in the command of Pennsylvania State Police operational or administrative functions.

An employee in this job serves as a second-level commissioned officer and supervises the work of subordinate State Police Lieutenants or performs duties of comparable complexity that require highly specialized police skills. Work involves enforcing commonwealth laws and functioning as a sworn police officer exercising the powers of arrest. Duties involve tactful and courteous treatment of the public, impartial application of the law, and the need to make instantaneous decisions and take appropriate actions in situations that are frequently stressful or dangerous in nature. Work is performed independently and is reviewed for quality, completeness, and technical soundness through reports and observation.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • Work is differentiated from the lower-level job by supervising State Police Lieutenants and includes commanding a State Police troop and its substations; commanding a division within a large bureau; or performing duties of comparable complexity within a State Police bureau or office.

     • In the absence of supervisory duties over State Police Lieutenants, duties will be assigned in a State Police bureau or office and involve directing a highly visible statewide police-related program, or be assigned in the department’s executive and administrative offices and involve performing highly technical and specialized nonsupervisory police work of comparable complexity.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Functions as a Troop Commander by managing troop-wide patrol, crime, staff services, and administrative functions through subordinate section and station commanders and an administrative supervisor.

• Functions as a Division Director within a large or highly visible State Police bureau by directing and managing the work of subordinate section supervisors engaged in statewide operational or administrative law enforcement duties.

• Functions as the Director of a highly visible State Police office involved in statewide administrative law enforcement duties.

• Determines troop, division, or office operational, personnel, and budgetary requirements.

• Allocates and manages personnel, equipment, and funds to maximize operational effectiveness for a troop, division, or office.

• Conducts inspections of personnel, facilities, and programs in accordance with existing department regulations.

• Evaluates policies, practices, and procedures as they relate to assigned program areas and recommends appropriate changes.

• Identifies concerns in personnel performance, develops and implements resolutions, and reviews corrective action reports.

• Reviews and adjudicates internal affairs investigative reports to include taking appropriate corrective action.

• Coordinates and directs significant incident responses of emergency and non-emergency police services.

• Ensures reports and correspondence are properly prepared and submitted by subordinates regarding police activities, personnel matters, and law enforcement programs.

• Prepares correspondence and comprehensive reports to exchange information with subordinate personnel, superiors, the general public, and other law enforcement partners.

• Coordinates communications and fosters ongoing positive working relationships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies on various police issues, investigations, and programs.

• Prepares and delivers presentations and press conferences to local, state, and federal officials and the media regarding specialized law enforcement programs and police-related matters of local concern.

• Operates a police motor vehicle in the performance of assigned duties.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Employees in this job participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code and Motor Vehicle Code.

• Knowledge of State Police administrative, field, and operational regulations.

• Knowledge of principles and practices associated with law enforcement.

• Knowledge of emergency response procedures.

• Knowledge of criminal investigation practices and procedures.

• Knowledge of department communications protocol and equipment.

• Knowledge of specialized software and computerized equipment used for the preparation of forms and reports.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

• Knowledge of subordinates’ collective bargaining agreements.

• Skill in the proficient use of department firearms.

• Ability to analyze and interpret laws and regulations.

• Ability to analyze and evaluate law enforcement programs and practices.

• Ability to properly handle lethal and less-lethal weapons.

• Ability to operate department police vehicles.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• Two years as a State Police Lieutenant.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

• All positions require possession of an active Pennsylvania non-commercial Class C driver’s license.