© 2017 Chris Hartung Consulting, LLC 1

The City of Glenn Heights, Texas is seek-

ing experienced law enforcement profes-

sionals to be candidates for the position

of

Deputy Police Chief.

Community:

The City of Glenn Heights is located 20 miles south of

downtown Dallas on Interstate Highway 35E. The City is

in Dallas and Ellis Counties. Since its incorporation in

1969, the population of the City has grown to an estimat-

ed 12,200 in 2017. The City is known for affordable

housing and a low cost of living. Residents enjoy the rural

atmosphere of a small town along with easy access to the

employment centers and amenities of a major metropoli-

tan area.

Since 1983, Glenn Heights has been a member of the

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). Glenn Heights is the

only suburb in the southern section of the Dallas area

that is a DART member. The City is served by DART’s

Park & Ride Center on Bear Creek Road. Also, residents are afforded the service of DART’s on call shuttle service

for transportation to and from the Park and Ride Center.

The area of the City is only 50% developed. The City is continuing to grow, with a number of new residential de-

velopments planned or underway. The City and the Glenn Heights Chamber of Commerce are engaged in an ac-

tive program to attract retail and commercial businesses to the community.

Glenn Heights residents are served by two high quality school districts. The Dallas County portion is served by the

Desoto Independent School District and the Ellis County portion is served by the Red Oak Independent School

District.

Governance:

Glenn Heights operates under a charter originally adopted in 1987 and last amended in 2012 as a Council/Manager

form of government. The City is governed by a City Council composed of a mayor and six Councilmembers elect-

ed to serve three-year terms. The City Council is responsible for directing policy initiatives focusing on economic

development and the overall health, safety and quality of life in the City. Additionally, City Council enforces fiscal

sustainability in all City programs and services, while evaluating management practices to ensure high-quality cus-

tomer service to Glenn Heights residents and businesses.

The City Council appoints a City Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the City government. The cur-

rent City Manager is Aretha Ferrell-Benavides who has served in this position for 2 years. The City Manager di-

rects an organization with a 2016-2017 Operating Budget totaling $23.6 million. The City organization is structured

with a number of operating departments and divisions headed by department heads appointed by the City Manag-

er. One of those operating departments is the Police Department headed by Chief Phillip Prasifka. Chief Prasifka

has been in his position since 1999.

© 2017 Chris Hartung Consulting, LLC 2

The Position:

The Police Department has a 2016-2017 Annual Budget of $1,705,431 and 23 FTEs. In addition to the Police

Chief, department staffing includes the Deputy Police Chief, three (3) Sergeants, two (2) Corporals, thirteen (13)

Patrol Officers and three (3) civilian staff. Sworn personnel assigned to Patrol are assigned to two 12-hour shifts.

The City’s communications center is managed by the Fire Department.

The Glenn Heights Police Department operates under the philosophy of community oriented policing and pro-

vides a number of programs to the citizens including National Night Out, Citizens Police Academy, Chat with the

Chief, Coffee with a Cop, Prescription Drug Take Back, and home security surveys. The Department has recently

begun to plan for gaining accreditation. The Department is in the process of updating the mobile data terminals in

patrol cars. In addition, the City’s E911 system is currently being upgraded with an anticipated completion date in

April of 2017. The City is also in the early planning stages of a project to build a new City Hall and new Police and

Fire facilities.

In seeking to fill this position, the City is looking for an experienced law enforcement manager who has a reputa-tion of being able to build trust and confidence in a police agency while providing a high level of personalized ser-vice to a diverse community. It is anticipated that the Deputy will have direct supervision over the Patrol and Criminal Investigations Divisions. The City’s preference is for candidates who have strong experience in patrol and criminal investigation as well as experience in the administration function and whose career in law enforce-ment shows steady progression through the ranks of a police agency.

Police Department Purpose/Mission Statement

To provide services with integrity and dedication, to preserve life, to enforce the

law, and to work in partnership with the community to enhance the quality of life in

the City of Glenn Heights.

© 2017 Chris Hartung Consulting, LLC 3

The Position: (cont’d.)

Specific areas of knowledge and experience that are desirable include:

• Knowledge of the preparation, presentation, implementation and management of a police department operat-

ing budget.

• Knowledge of personnel management and employment law and their application in a police agency.

• Familiarity with the development of consistent, fair and effective disciplinary and promotional policies and

procedures.

• Experience implementing a community-oriented policing philosophy in a police department and with the de-

velopment of effective relationships between the police department and residents and civic and business

groups.

• A successful record of developing and maintaining positive relationships with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.

Initial Priorities:

The Deputy Police Chief is a newly created posi-

tion in the Department. As such, he/she will be

involved with the Police Chief in the assignment of

specific duties and responsibilities for the position.

The Chief has identified the following initial priori-

ties for the new Deputy Police Chief and they are:

Review and Update Police Department Poli-

cies and Procedures-Glenn Heights Police De-

partment Policies and Procedures have not been

updated in several years. The Police Chief will ex-

pect the new Deputy to begin a review and update

of these most important guides for department personnel. He desires that this review be conducted as rapidly as

can be prudently done and involve department personnel as their time will allow.

Implement New Policies and Procedures-Once the new policies and procedures have been developed and

adopted, the Chief will expect the Deputy Chief

to develop training to communicate the new poli-

cies and procedures to department personnel.

This will include specific training for supervisors

in their responsibilities under the new policies

and procedures..

Personal Characteristics:

The City Manager and the Police Chief see the Deputy Police Chief as an extremely important participant in the City’s efforts to maintain an excellent quality of life in the community. As a result, they will be looking for candidates who have established a successful track record of be-ing an effective leader in a law enforcement agen-cy.

Gateway Park

© 2017 Chris Hartung Consulting, LLC 4

Personal Characteristics: (Cont’d.)

In evaluating applicants for this position, the Police Chief will be looking for candidates who have the following

characteristics and competencies:

A person with a proven record of absolute integrity and fairness in the application of policies and discipline and in the treatment of Police Department personnel. A person who is seen as caring, open and accessible to personnel at all levels.

A person with a record of being accessible and responsive to citizens from all sectors of the community. An excellent communicator who, under the direction of the Police Chief, can effectively represent the Police

Department and communicate law enforcement issues including the needs, expectations and limitations of the department to the community, the media, Police personnel and the City Manager.

A person who sets high standards for him/herself and others in the department, and who is an effective del-egator with the ability to assign responsibilities to subordinate personnel and hold them accountable for re-sults.

A decisive leader who is open to the ideas of others and who seeks to involve people at all levels of the de-partment in problem solving and decision making.

A person who is seen as an effective developer, motivator and evaluator of subordinate personnel and who has a reputation for providing training and education equitably for all personnel.

An innovative and creative thinker who is not afraid to consider new technologies, equipment, training, and police practices. Someone who can think outside of the box.

An apolitical leader who has the courage to speak openly, with diplomacy and tact, to the City Administration

about policy matters and other issues related to the Police Department.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s Degree is preferred. In addition candidates should have ten years of pertinent experience including

at least five years of supervisory experience as a division commander, assistant police chief or police chief. Master

Peace Officer designation is preferred. Graduation from the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management In-

stitute of Texas (LEMIT) or similar Police Executive Development Program is also a plus.

Compensation:

Salary is open depending upon background qualifications and experience. The City participates in the Texas Mu-

nicipal Retirement System (TMRS) with an employee contribution rate of 6% and a 1:1 match by the City. The

City offers vacation and sick leave benefits. Medical, Dental and Life insurance benefits are paid for by the City.

Application and Selection Process:

The position is considered to be open until filled. The first review of resumes will be on April 24. To be consid-

ered for this position, please submit a current résumé and current salary information to Chris Hartung Consult-

ing, LLC by e-mail to jobsearch@chcpublicsectorsolutions.com .

Please note: Applicants selected as finalists will be subject to an education verification, criminal history, driver’s

record check, as well as reference check prior to final interviews. Under the Texas Public Information Act, infor-

mation from your résumé may be subject to release to the public at any time during the process.

To learn more about Glenn Heights, please visit the City’s website www.glennheightstx.gov . For additional infor-

mation about this position, please contact Chris Hartung at 817-715-9693.