Forney Police Chief - Strategic Government Resources

CITY OF FORNEY, TEXAS
POLICE CHIEF
THE COMMUNITY
Forney, Texas is located just 20 minutes from the heart of downtown Dallas, on the “Eastern
Crescent” of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. With a population of more than 17,000,
Forney is the fastest-growing community in Kaufman County and one of the fastest-growing
cities in the region. Forney is ideally situated along US 80 with access to major highways,
including I-20, I-635, and US 175, and is convenient to DFW International and Dallas Love
Field Airports. Forney offers residents the close proximity of big city amenities and career
opportunities but with a kinder, gentler lifestyle. Residents enjoy a vibrant, family-centered
quality of life featuring top-notch public schools, abundant recreation opportunities, a variety
of cultural and entertainment venues, suburban shopping, and exceptional healthcare.
The City has experienced explosive growth of more than 164% since 2000 and strives to
balance its pioneering past with a forward-thinking vision of the future. Forney encourages
entrepreneurs to invest in and reinvent its historic downtown, supports the development of
new parks, trails, and roads, and works diligently to improve regional connectivity.
Tremendous efforts have been made to maintain the City’s family-friendly atmosphere while
attracting the amenities its growing population demands. The City’s accomplishments have
been recognized with numerous awards and accolades over the years, including being
ranked one of the 50 Safest Cities in Texas by Niche.com.
Forney has seen a rapid increase in economic development in recent years. The downtown
Heritage Town Center is home to business professionals, City Hall, Kaufman County
Services, beauty salons, restaurants, bakeries, and other specialty shops. Mustang Crossing
Shopping Center houses Wal-Mart, Lowe’s, Chili’s, Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s, Starbucks, Game
Stop, Walgreens, CVS, Sonic, Starplex Theater, several banks, NTB, AutoZone, and
Whataburger. Additional national restaurant, food, and retail chains are planned for the near
future. The Pinson Road corridor features a newly updated and expanded Brookshire’s
grocery store and several other national and locally-owned restaurants and community
businesses. In addition, Kroger built its premier 124,000 square foot marketplace in Forney.
The Kroger Marketplace represents one of the only ten in the state and is the first in Texas to
sell clothing.
Several major development projects are currently underway in Forney. The $23 million
Gateway Development public/private partnership is a 2,000+ acre master planned
development that includes Gateway Boulevard, a large multi-family and retail project. Forney
Business Park has 135+ acres primed for office and commercial development.
THE COMMUNITY, CONTINUED
Forney offers families and visitors an array of recreational and entertainment options. In
2015, Forney hosted an Independence Day Celebration that was attended by more than
26,000 people, making it the largest special event in the City’s history. The First Summer
Concert Series was held at the Mick Spellman Amphitheater last year and will become an
annual event. Other activities for residents and visitors include 2nd Saturdays’ Artisan
Markets, Trail of Treats, and Christmas on Main. Outdoor recreational opportunities are
provided at the City’s nine public parks, a soccer complex, and tennis courts. The Layden
Senior Citizen Center offers a variety of activities for seniors in the community.
From estate residences and homes with acreage, to close-knit neighborhoods and attractive
master planned communities, some of which boast swimming pools, parks, and elementary
schools, Forney offers many housing options. The City’s home prices range from $120,000
to over $400,000. Median annual income in Forney is over $82,000.
Nationally recognized Forney ISD is one of the fastest-growing school districts in Texas,
providing quality educational opportunities to the community and surrounding area. The
district is comprised of 14 campuses, including nine elementary schools, two middle
schools, two high schools, and one alternative school, with a total enrollment of more than
9,000 students and more than 1,300 staff members.
For those seeking higher education, there are many options in the area. Southern Methodist
University, Dallas Baptist University, University of Texas-Dallas, Trinity Valley Community
College, and Collin College are just a few of the colleges and universities within easy
distance of Forney.
GOVERNANCE
The City of Forney is a Home Rule City with a Council-Manager form of government. The
City Council is made up of a Mayor and six Council members who are elected at-large and
serve staggered two-year terms. The City Council appoints a professional City Manager who
directs the day-to-day operations of the organization.
The City has 130 employees, a $45 million annual budget, and an ad valorem property tax
rate of $0.698483 per $100 of valuation. The City is financially stable and focuses on high
quality service delivery.
Through the strategic planning process, the City Council has identified eight Strategic
Imperatives or focus areas:
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Beautify Forney
Diversify lifelong opportunities
Enhance government effectiveness
Expand parks and recreational opportunities
Improve understanding and communication
Influence and support the Gateway Development
Modernize transportation and regional connectivity
Redefine and re-establish downtown
ABOUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Forney Police Department consists of several divisions and units. The Patrol Division
works together with the community and other divisions to handle crimes related to drugs,
traffic, and disorderly conduct, and provides overall neighborhood safety. The Criminal
Investigations Division conducts investigations into criminal offenses and files cases in the
appropriate court. Detectives interact with citizens to solve offenses and bring reported
criminal activity to a successful conclusion. Support Services includes the Communications
Center, Records Division, and Registered Sex Offender Administration. It provides
communications between the citizens and police personnel and maintains records for the
department.
The department has a total staff of 42, with 29 sworn officers, and it has an operating
budget of $4.2 million. The department operates on 12-hour shifts and is well-equipped with
the most up-to-date law enforcement equipment, including all new body cameras. The
police facility is a beautiful, modern building and the pride of the community.
An additional officer was recently added to the Criminal Investigations Division to aid in
addressing the increased number of cases being filed in the county and district courts, and a
records clerk was added to handle the increased workload in the Records Department. The
department is in the process of acquiring advanced protection body armor for officers.
Recently, an entirely new police radio system was implemented. This system will be backed
up by another new regional police radio system that will help the department better serve
residents.
LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION
The City of Forney is growing and this growth trend is expected to continue for the
foreseeable future. The population is predicted to approach 40,000 at buildout. As such, the
Police Department will see future growth and expansion. The new Chief of Police will be
instrumental in defining and managing the growth and development of the Police
Department. This opportunity will require a candidate with the ability to envision the future
and strategically manage the growth process.
Residential construction is happening at a high rate in the City and surrounding areas. This
has resulted in growing property crimes involving theft of construction materials. The new
Chief will need to develop strategies to curtail this criminal activity.
The department has outlined several initiatives to address the community’s needs:
• Maintain a response time under five minutes to all emergencies in the City
• Start a narcotics investigation team to help decrease drug activity in the area
• Focus on reducing the number of auto thefts and new construction thefts
• Raise public awareness through crime prevention initiatives and social media
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The City of Forney seeks a progressive, self-motivated leader to serve as its next Police
Chief. This is a great opportunity for an experienced law enforcement professional to guide a
police department through a period of transition and growth, as the community it serves
changes and grows. As Forney continues to progress and develop, the new Police Chief will
utilize best practices and a strategic planning process to help the City successfully and
safely navigate this growth.
The chosen candidate will be an experienced and competent manager who is capable of
interacting harmoniously with the community and staff. The next Police Chief will be
politically astute, without being political, and will have exceptional interpersonal skills. The
Chief will act as a spokesperson on behalf of the City and must handle all interactions with
tact and diplomacy. An experienced public speaker with excellent communication skills, the
selected individual will be comfortable speaking in uniform and will represent the police
department and City with the utmost integrity and professionalism.
An even-handed leader with a high moral character, the new Police Chief will guide the
department in accomplishing objectives and goals and will foster a culture of accountability
and transparency. The Chief will delegate with clarity and authority and effectively
communicate expectations to staff to ensure the department runs efficiently.
The ideal candidate will be tech-savvy, well-versed in the use and capabilities of new
technology in the field and comfortable implementing and administering new systems.
Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of police administration and operations,
as well as thorough knowledge and experience with modern policing strategies, tactics, and
procedures, are required qualifications. Experience with budget building and grantsmanship
is a plus.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Required: The chosen candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or
university and must have five years of progressively responsible senior level command/
executive law enforcement administrative and operational experience. The Chief of Police
must be able to serve as the City’s Emergency Management Coordinator and must possess
TCOLE Advanced or Master Peace Officer Certification or the ability to obtain same within
one year of appointment. A Texas Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain one, is required.
The candidate must have an acceptable driving record with no violations of any nature
beyond minor Class C misdemeanors.
Preferred: A master’s degree from an accredited university and successful completion of an
advanced Police Management/Administrative Development Program (e.g., FBI National
Academy, Southern Institute for Police Administration, Senior Management Institute, Texas
Law Enforcement Management Institute, etc.) are preferred qualifications. It is preferred that
the chosen candidate reside in the City or a reasonably short drive away.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position is $115,000-$135,000 annually, dependent upon
qualifications and experience. The City participates in the Texas Municipal Retirement
System (TMRS) at a 7% employee deposit rate with a municipal matching ratio of 2:1 with
vesting at five years and full retirement at 20 years. A full range of leave and benefits is also
provided. A vehicle, uniforms, mobile phone allowance, and clothing allowance are provided
and professional dues (TPCA/IACP) are covered.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Please apply online at: http://bit.ly/SGRCurrentSearches
For more information on this position contact:
Tommy Ingram, Senior Vice President
Strategic Government Resources
[email protected]
817-475-2242
RESOURCES
City of Forney
http://www.cityofforney.org/
Forney Messenger
http://forneymessengernewspaper.com/
Forney EDC
http://forneytexasedc.org/
Forney Chamber of Commerce
http://forneychamber.com/
Forney Police Department on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/Forney-Police-Department-240548512785994/
Forney on Twitter
https://twitter.com/cityofforneygov