Chief of Police

OPENING DATE: June 25, 2026 CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled POSITION SUMMARY: The Chief of Police serves as the executive leader of the Comanche Nation Law Enforcement Department and is responsible for the overall administration, leadership, strategic planning, fiscal management, personnel administration, and operational effectiveness of all law enforcement services. The Chief provides professional leadership to ensure the protection of life and property, preservation of peace, enforcement of Tribal, Federal and applicable State laws, and delivery of responsive public safety services throughout the jurisdiction of the Comanche Nation. The Chief develops long-range strategic initiatives, establishes departmental priorities, manages personnel and financial resources, oversees grant administration, ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and promotes organizational excellence through accountability, transparency, professionalism, and community engagement. The Chief serves as the principal law enforcement advisor to the Tribal Administrator and provides recommendations to the Tribal Administrator regarding public safety, emergency preparedness, departmental operations, and law enforcement policy. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Executive Leadership Provides executive leadership and direction for all Law Enforcement Department operations. Establishes departmental goals, objectives, strategic initiatives, and measurable performance standards. Develops long-range operational and strategic plans that align with the Comanche Nation’s mission and priorities. Promotes ethical leadership, professionalism, accountability, and continuous organizational improvement. Develops succession plans and leadership development opportunities for supervisory personnel. Represents the Comanche Nation at Tribal, local, state, and federal law enforcement meetings, conferences, and public events. Serves as the senior executive responsible for maintaining public trust and confidence in the Law Enforcement Department. 2. Administration Directs and oversees all administrative and operational functions of the department. Develops, implements, reviews, and updates departmental policies, procedures, directives, and Standard Operating Procedures. Ensures compliance with Tribal laws, Federal laws, Bureau of Indian Affairs standards, Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy, grant requirements, and applicable Oklahoma statutes. Establishes departmental performance measures and evaluates organizational effectiveness. Prepares and presents monthly, quarterly, and annual operational reports to the Tribal Administrator and Comanche Nation Business Committee for General Council. Maintains accurate records, crime statistics, personnel documentation, and operational reports. 3. Fiscal Management Develops, administers, and monitors the department’s annual operating budget. Oversees fleet management, equipment replacement schedules, technology improvements, and capital planning. Reviews and approves departmental expenditures, procurement requests, travel, and purchasing activities. Identifies, secures, and administers federal, state, and Tribal grants. Ensures fiscal accountability and compliance with all grant and budget requirements. Participates in annual budget planning and long-range financial forecasting. 4. Personnel Management Recruits, hires, trains, mentors, evaluates, disciplines, promotes, and recommends termination of department personnel in accordance with Tribal personnel policies. Establishes staffing plans and ensures adequate personnel coverage. Conducts annual performance evaluations and employee development planning. Approves work schedules, overtime, leave requests and timesheets. Promotes employee wellness, professional development, leadership training, and succession planning. Maintains a professional, respectful, and accountable workplace. 5. Operational Management Oversees Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Dispatch, Evidence Management, Administrative Services, and specialized law enforcement functions. Reviews major criminal investigations, critical incidents, and use-of-force reports. Ensures proper evidence collection, preservation, storage and chain of custody. Coordinates emergency operations and mutual aid with Tribal, municipal, county, state, and federal agencies. Maintains departmental readiness for emergency response, disaster operations, and critical incidents. Evaluates crime trends and develops proactive public safety strategies. 6. Community Relations Develops collaborative relationships with Tribal leadership, community members, schools, neighboring jurisdiction, and partner agencies. Promotes community policing and crime prevention initiatives. Responds appropriately to citizen concerns and complaints. Serves as the public spokesperson for the department when appropriate. 7. Legal Responsibilities Ensures all law enforcement activities comply with constitutional standards and due process requirements. Oversees internal investigations and professional standards. Appears in Tribal, State, and Federal courts when required. Maintains compliance with evidence management, records retention, and criminal justice information security requirements. 8. Emergency Management Coordinates law enforcement response during emergencies, disasters, and critical incidents. Serves as Incident Commander or Unified Command representative when assigned. Collaborates with Fire, Emergency Management, EMS, and other public safety agencies to ensure continuity of operations. 9. Other Duties Remains available after normal business hours for emergency response. Performs other duties as assigned by the Tribal Administrator. 10. Residency Requirement The Chief shall remain available for emergency response at all times and must be capable of reporting to duty within thirty (30) minutes during critical incidents, emergencies, or other situations requiring executive law enforcement leadership. Failure to maintain this residency and response-time requirement shall result in termination of the position. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING : The Chief of Police exercises direct supervision over all sworn personnel assigned to the Law Enforcement Department and others assigned. Responsibilities include: Workforce planning Recruitment and hiring Performance management Progressive discipline Organizational development Policy Implementation Operational planning Budget oversight Grant administration Risk management Employee development Succession planning Organizational accountability The Chief of Police reports directly to the Tribal Administrator and provides regular operational updates, budget reports, strategic recommendations, and policy guidance. The Chief of Police collaboratively with the Tribal Administrator, Comanche Business Committee, Tribal departments, and external law enf