GUERNSEY – The Guernsey Town Council put out a special notice informing the public that interviews would be conducted to find their next police chief. Following is the chain of events and information surrounding the interviews and interview process.

The Notice

The notice said, “The Guernsey Town Council will be interviewing Police Chief Candidates at the following dates and times: Wednesday, March 29, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. and Friday, March 31, 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Candidates will be participating both in person and via Zoom link. The public is invited to observe the interviews from the council chambers at 81 W. Whalen, Guernsey, WY 82214”

The Job Description

CHIEF OF POLICE

I.GENERAL PURPOSE

Serves as the Chief Administrator of the Police Department and is responsible for policy development, control, supervision, and program implementation of this Department, and is accountable for the effective delivery of police services to the community.

1. SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Activities are conducted with considerable operational independence and personal judgment under the Guernsey Mayor. On a regular basis, reports to the Town Council on budgetary, personnel and public safety issues.

III.SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Directly supervises a department of law enforcement professionals presently consisting of 3 full-time Patrol Officers. Assigns work schedules, oversees employees' job performance, and has the responsibility for the selection, performance evaluation, training, and discipline of the department’s staff. Has final authority for decisions pertaining to law enforcement.

1. ESSENTIAL DUTIES
2. Required to attend a minimum of one council meeting each month and report on the status of the Department, budget, and other issues within the community. 2. Establishes Department goals, long-range plans, objectives, policies, directives, regulations, and procedures based upon the needs of the Town and the Police Department; continually monitors and evaluates the effectiveness and responsiveness of the Department. 3. Directs, coordinates and oversees all Department procedures, practices and activities; takes necessary steps to improve police operations. 4. Organizes, directs, and controls all resources of the Department to preserve the peace, protect persons and property, and enforce ordinances of the Town, State and Federal government. 5. Conducts regular inspections of the Department’s facilities, personnel and equipment. 6. Selects and disciplines staff in accordance with state and federal laws and Town policies and procedures. 7. Evaluates employees annually and outlines personal development plans for employees. 8. Plans and directs training programs in compliance with the Wyoming POST commission and state statutes. Maintains training and performance records on all Department personnel in accordance with existing state and federal guidelines. 9. Assigns work schedules to staff, including coverage by outside agencies when necessary. 10. Within the Department, organizes, maintains, and administers the personnel policies of the Town and the procedures of the Department. 11. Cooperates with law enforcement officials from other jurisdictions on investigations and in the apprehension and detention of suspects. 12. Develops and presents the annual department budget and administers the approved budget in accordance with established Town policy. Maintains equipment and personnel at a level consistent with budgeted allocations. Seeks financial assistance through grant writing at the federal, state and local levels. 13. Takes charge at scenes of emergencies, serious crimes and accidents. Makes final decisions as to courses of action and protection of citizens, property and police personnel. Operates both as a member of a team and independently at incidents of uncertain duration, advising and assisting Department personnel, performing complex tasks during life threatening emergencies. 14. Supervises and conducts complete and accurate investigations and prepares reports for same. Establishes and maintains necessary and appropriate records of activities. On a monthly basis, prepares Uniform Crime Report and other state statistical information and will prepare the statistical record for annual Town Report. 15. Uses approved firearms, handcuffs, batons, and other hand equipment in the performance of duties in accordance with Federal and State laws, and Town and Department policies and procedures. Keeps abreast of the latest equipment and ensures that officers are trained to be proficient in its use. Maintains proficiency in the operation of technical equipment, including radar, blood alcohol measuring devices, cameras, two-way radios, etc. Operates motor vehicles in accordance with State laws and Department regulations in routine and emergency situations. 16. Plans, implements, and maintains effective customer relations and public education programs. Serves as primary representative of the Department with civic organizations, public interest groups, elected representatives, schools, etc., by attending meetings related to public safety problems and law enforcement. Ensures that any complaints against the Department or its personnel are handled effectively and in a timely manner. 17. Actively participates in professional law enforcement associations; acts as liaison between Town and other law enforcement agencies; attends and participates in meetings involving or relating to the Police Department. 18. Performs all regular full-time patrol officer duties as necessary, including patrol, traffic control, responding to calls for service, investigating traffic accidents and criminal offenses, issuing citations and warnings, serving subpoenas, making physical custody arrests with and without a warrant, transporting prisoners, testifying in court and before administrative bodies, making application for search warrants and arrest warrants, taking juveniles, intoxicated, or mentally ill persons into protective custody, writing investigative reports, conducting crime prevention surveys, responding to citizen inquiries, taking fingerprints of arrested persons, searching for latent fingerprints, searching for and collecting physical evidence at crime and accident scenes, performing various rescue and lifesaving tasks, participating in raids and high-risk warrant services, controlling violent or resisting subjects, apprehending fleeing suspects on foot or in a motor vehicle, and participating in strenuous and physically demanding basic and in-serve training programs. 19. Performs other related duties as required.
3. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
4. Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of modern police administration and police methods. 2. Thorough knowledge of state statutes and codes, federal guidelines and protocols, and local ordinances relating to law enforcement. 3. Extensive knowledge of the standards by which the quality of police service is evaluated and the use of police records and their application to police administration. 4. Knowledge of budgetary practices and procedures. 5. Skilled in the use of firearms and police equipment, including pepper spray, portable radios, pagers, handcuffs, batons, ammunition and shotguns. 6. Experienced in the use of computers with standard office software. 7. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of subordinates performing varied operations connected with police activities. 8. Develop proper training and instructional procedures. 9. Accurately assess the potential consequences of alternative courses of action and select the one which is most acceptable and appropriate. 10. Recognize potentially dangerous situations and act decisively to protect persons and property from harm. 11. Prepare and present concise and meaningful oral and written material relating to the activities of the Department. 12. Create and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, Town officials, department heads, State and Federal authorities, and civic leaders. 13. Deal effectively with the public and provide appropriate referrals to other social service agencies. 14. Work under physically and emotionally stressful situations. 15. Be on call to meet police emergencies.
5. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT Due to the nature of this position, the Police Chief is required to live within the city limits of the Town of Guernsey.

VII. MINIMUM OUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Certification by the Wyoming POST (Police Officer Standards and Training) or the ability to obtain certification within one year of date of hire. At least 5 years of Police Officer experience Experience in budgeting. Willingness to be on call to meet emergency situations. Possession of a valid Wyoming driver's license

VIII. PHYSICAL EXERTION/ENVIRONMENTAL

CONDITIONS 1. Work is primarily performed in an office environment but frequently requires on-site visits to emergency and crime scenes to observe subordinates in the field. 2. Work may be performed under highly stressful conditions, and may involve extended periods of sitting, standing or walking. 3. May occasionally be required to make physical custody arrests, subdue attacking or resisting individuals, perform rescue work or administer first aid. 4. Must be able to manage multiple tasks at the same time and respond to deadlines. 5. Must be able to communicate effectively in the English language over the telephone and radio, read and understand English rapidly and effectively. 6. Must be able to operate a computer terminal and keyboard. 7. Accurately aim and fire hand and shoulder weapons and qualify with same according to State standards. 8. Use handcuffs, a police baton and self-defense spray, and to drive a standard police cruiser. Guernsey is a small town in Platte County, Wyoming, located between the North Platte River and the Haystack Mountains. The area offers lakes, rivers, walking/biking trails, fishing, boating, hunting, open spaces and western history. This position would be well-suited for an individual or family that enjoys outdoor activities, wants to be involved in community activities and those seeking a slower-paced rural lifestyle.

The Interview questions for the Town of Guernsey Chief of Police 2023

1. You have not received information about our benefits. Have you read the job description? Please tell us about yourself and give a brief overview of your work history.
2. What do you think are the typical responsibilities for a chief of police?
3. What would you do as a police chief to build morale, respect and responsibility within your department?
4. What are three desirable traits of a police chief? Explain all three. Give examples of when and how you have modelled these traits.
5. How would you proceed if you or one of your officers made a stop and it was a friend, family member or high-profile member of our community, driving a vehicle while under the influence?
6. Why do you want to be Guernsey’s police chief?
7. Please describe the most challenging situation you’ve encountered in your career?
8. What are some of the skills you use while engaging in police work?
9. What leadership positions have you held in the past? Describe how you would incorporate these experiences into this position.
10. What is your favorite aspect of police work?
11. What would you like to tell us about yourself as it relates to this position that we haven’t already talked about?

The Candidates capsules with most recent work experience.

Interviewed at 2 p.m. March 29       Jay Harrison – Aurora, CO

“For over 36 years I have been a Law Enforcement professional working for 7 different Law Enforcement agencies. During my career I have supervised programs and personnel. I have trained officers in 11 different areas of Law Enforcement. I have investigated hundreds of crimes, written search warrants, arrest warrants and supervised investigations. I have kept high standards for myself and I continue to strive for excellence. I have Instructed at Aims Community College Police Academy, Larimer County/CSU Police Academy. I have instructed a K-9 course at the Wyoming State Police Academy. I taught a criminal justice class at Greeley West High School for Aims Community College. I was the lead coordinating Law Enforcement Officer for the Secret Service from 2002 to 2008. I coordinated and managed Explosive K-9 teams from surrounding agencies and states to conduct explosive sweeps of areas where the United States President and Presidential Candidates would visit in Larimer County. Sergeant Sheridan Police Department: August 2021 to Present $105,000 Annual Supervise K-9 Unit, shift of 4 Officers, Tactical Instructor, Firearms Instructor, backup PIO. Approve all reports, time records.

 Interviewed at 3 p.m. March 29       Derek Chavez – Guernsey, WY

Officer Chavez has been working and living in Guernsey since December of 2020. He came to Guernsey with an opportunity to come and work as a cadre for the Cowboy Challenge and he was excited at the possibility of spending time close to a vacation spot his family loved. From there he stepped into a great responsibility in law enforcement and became a Deputy Sheriff with Platte County. He is also a certified detention officer which he has held for two years, and one to grab every bit of life that he can grab a hold of with both hands, he went on to get his EMT basic license. “I do EMT part-time,” he said. “I used to be full-time prior to my job here at Guernsey. I am also still with the Platte County Sheriff’s Office as a reserve deputy.” He was with Banner Health EMT service in Guernsey.  Chavez lives in Guernsey with wife, Heather who is the general manager at the Cobblestone Inn. They have three children currently attending Wheatland High School.

Interviewed at 9 a.m. March 31       Edward Buckman – Sale Creek, TN 

Investigator

01/2011 - Current Chattanooga Police Department 3410 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, TN

Organized Crime Unit / Gun Team (2020 – Present)

Directed investigations and interrogations related to dangerous felonies, narcotics trafficking and

organized crime at both state and Federal levels.

Interviewed witnesses, victims, and suspects connected to weapons law violations to gather facts and

to further minimize and lower organized criminal offenses within the area of jurisdiction.

Acquired skills and competencies to operate as a future Task Force Officer for ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco,

and Firearms) bureau.

Teamed with Federal partners to perform surveillance, apprehension and prosecution of various

weapons law violations.

Honed technical acumen to enter seized guns into E-Trace and follow up on National Integrated Ballistic

Information Network (NIBIN) to establish link analysis charts

S.W.A.T. Team Squad Leader (2014 – Present)

Interviewed at 10 a.m.  March 31    Richard Bell – Aniston, AL

Lieutenant, PIO and Senior LE Instructor | GEORGIA PUBLIC SAFETY TRAINING CENTER, Forsyth, GA | Aug 22-Present

Providing basic, intermediate and advanced training to cadets, new and tenured law enforcement officers.

✓ Provide training in Law Enforcement Supervision and Management, Use of Force, Use of Force Investigations,

Defensive Tactics, Public Information Officer, School Resource Officer, Advanced Report Writing, Firearms and

Basic Law Enforcement.

✓ Provide campus-wide police protection for thousands of students, staff, and more than 1000 acres of PS

property.

✓ Attend continuing education, master certification and specialty courses.

✓ Serve as the State Training Center’s Public Information Officer.

✓ Curriculum creation, presentation, and approval for credit through Georgia Post.

✓ Create and deliver curriculum at Georgia Association of School Resource Officers and Educators and Georgia

Mantracker.

✓ Deliver online curriculum, with POST credit, through the creation of audio/video Podcasts.

Interviewed at 1 p.m. March 31       Dr. Kevin Angell

Director of Security and Law Enforcement-Full Time HRT Security Group - Anniston, AL

August 2014 to Present. The Director of Security and Law Enforcement is responsible for the overall management of security strategy policies and standards to ensure the physical safety of all visitors, employees, or customers to the organizations facilities and the security of the property and assets. Conducts regular audits and inspections to assess, identify, and mitigate any security vulnerabilities or gaps. As Director of Security and Law Enforcement i implement staff training programs and operational plans for crisis response, disaster recovery, evacuation, workplace violence and other emergency events. Manages and maintains systems, alarms and other physical security measures. Additionally the Director of Security and Law Enforcement delivers educational programs and communications on security policies and topics to ensure staff is adequately informed and equipped to manage potential security issues. Participates in local, state, provincial, or federal working or advisory groups to keep abreast with all security related information, directives and events. Leads and direct significant investigations and critical incident responses incoordination with Law Enforcement and other official agencies. Possess a broad knowledge of Law Enforcement including methods, tactics and procedures. strategically developing and directing policies, guidelines and programs to promote a safe and secure environment for customers, employees and the protection of business assets. Conduct risk assessments throughout the premises to include: lighting, security, gate control, barcode access control, threat assessment, vulnerability studies, impact analysis and countermeasures selection.