Chief of Police

OPENING DATE: June 25, 2026

CLOSING DATE: July 9, 2026

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 enforcement partners to achieve the mission of the Comanche Nation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Sit, stand, walk, kneel, stoop, crouch, ben, climb and lift up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Operate law enforcement vehicles, firearms, communication equipment, and other specialized law enforcement equipment.
• Respond to emergency situations requiring physical exertion.
• Work extended shifts during times of short handed, emergencies, disasters, or special events.
• Operate computers, communication systems, and standard office equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The Chief of Police performs duties in both office and field environments. The position requires regular exposure to emergency situations, crime scenes, hazardous materials, communicable diseases, inclement weather, stressful situations, and potentially dangerous individuals.

The position requires availability beyond normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-outs. The Chief of Police is expected to maintain a visible leadership presence within the department and throughout the community while ensuring the department operates efficiently, professionally, ethically, and in compliance with all applicable Tribal, Federal, and State laws.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Law Enforcement, or a closely related field, or;
• Must possess a minimum of ten (10) years of work experience as an Officer within Law Enforcement, must possess a minimum of five (5) years of supervisor experience in Law Enforcement, and/or familiar with BIA law enforcement.

Preferred:

• Master's Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Homeland Security, Business Administration, or related field, or;
• Must possess a minimum of ten (10) years of work experience as an Officer within Law Enforcement, must possess a minimum of five (5) years of supervisor experience in Law Enforcement, and/or familiar with BIA law enforcement.

Equivalent combinations of education, executive law enforcement, experience, and advanced professional training may be considered.

Experience:

Required:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of command-level supervisory experience.
• Demonstrate experience managing personnel, departmental budgets, grants, and organizational operations.
• Knowledge of applicable Tribal, Federal, and State laws, regulations, and policies governing Tribal lands, trust properties, rights-of-way, land use, natural resources, and property management.

Preferred:

• Experience serving as a Chief, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain or Major.
• Experience in Tribal, Federal, State, or Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement.
• Experience in administering federal grants and managing multi-jurisdictional operations.

Certifications

Requirements:

• Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) Peach Officer Certification or Bureau of Indian Affairs equivalent certification.
• Valid Oklahoma Driver License
• CPR and First Aid Certification
• National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, and IS-800.

Preferred:

• FBI National Academy Graduate
• FBI-LEEDA Executive Leadership Certification
• Command College Graduate
• Advance Tribal Law Enforcement Leadership training

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation.
• Successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening.
• Maintain eligibility to possess and carry a firearm.
• Maintain all required law enforcement certifications.
• Obtain and maintain Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) access.
• Successfully complete all required continuing education and annual firearms qualifications.
• Must be available for emergency call-out, disaster response, evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended work hours as operational needs require.

Executive Leadership Competencies: The Chief of Police shall consistently demonstrate:

• Strategic Leadership
• Ethical Decision Making
• Accountability and Transparency
• Financial Stewardship
• Organizational Development
• Change Management
• Employee Engagement
• Leadership Development and Succession Planning
• Intergovernmental Collaboration
• Public and Community Relations
• Effective Communication
• Conflict Resolution
• Cultural Awareness and Respect for Tribal Sovereignty
• Commitment to Continuous Improvement
• Sound Judgment Under Pressure
• Integrity, Professionalism, and Public Trust

The Chief of Police is expected to exemplify the highest standards of leadership and integrity while advancing the mission, vision, and values of the Comanche Nation through professional, accountable, and community-focused law enforcement services.

BENEFITS PACKAGE:

• Annual Leave (4 hours per pay period)
• Sick Leave (4 hours per pay period)
• Birthday Leave
• Bereavement Leave (5 paid days off for specified family members)
• Fifteen (15) Paid Holidays
• Medical Insurance (100% employer paid for employee only)
• Dental Insurance (100% employer paid for employee only)
• Life Insurance (100% employer paid for employee only- $40K coverage)
• 401K-up to 3% match

VOLUNTARY BENEFITS (100% employee paid via payroll deduction):

• Medical Insurance BCBS (Spouse, Child(ren), and Family coverage available)
• Dental Insurance Delta Dental (Spouse, Child(ren), and Family coverage available)
• Vision Insurance VSP (Employee, Spouse, Child(ren), and Family coverage available)
• Short-term Disability
• Long-term Disability
• Additional Employee Life Insurance
• Spouse, and Child Life Insurance
• AFLAC

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: The Comanche Nation does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

COMANCHE PREFERENCE applies in accordance to the Comanche Nation Human Resources Policies and Procedures. Eligible applicants must submit proof of enrollment with employment application to receive Comanche preference.

INDIAN PREFERENCE applies in accordance with Indian Preference Act of 1934 (Title 25, USC Section 472), Form 4432 must be submitted with employment application to receive Indian Preference. Non-Indian applications will be considered in the absence of qualified Comanche and/or Indian preference applicants.

VETERAN PREFERENCE applies in accordance to the Comanche Nation Human Resources Policies and Procedures. Eligible applicants must submit proof of veteran status, DD Form 214, with employment application to receive veteran preference.