Police Sergeant, Grade 17

The City of Glenarden Police Department is seeking experienced, service-oriented law enforcement professional who is committed to protecting and serving the community with professionalism, integrity, courage, and compassionate public service. Successful candidate must demonstrate sound judgment, honesty, reliability, strong leadership, and a commitment to community-oriented policing while serving the best interests of the residents and visitors of the City of Glenarden.

The Police Sergeant is responsible for supervising the day-to-day operations and personnel of an assigned squad within the Police Department. The Sergeant provides first-line leadership by directing, coordinating, supervising, and evaluating the work of subordinate personnel while ensuring compliance with departmental policies, procedures, professional standards, and applicable laws and regulations.  This position requires demonstrated leadership, sound judgment, accountability, and effective communication skills, as well as a proven record of success in law enforcement operations, criminal investigations, community policing, personnel supervision, and employee development.

Primary Duties:

Supervision and Personnel Management

• Supervises sworn and civilian personnel in accordance with departmental policies and procedures and applicable federal, state, and local laws.
• Plans, assigns, directs, and monitors the work activities of subordinate personnel.
• Provides training, coaching, guidance, and professional development in job-related skills and responsibilities.
• Evaluates employee performance, addresses complaints, and assists in resolving personnel and operational issues.
• Provides immediate supervision of civilian personnel in the absence of designated squad supervisors.
• Ensures assigned duties are completed and calls for service are handled appropriately, professionally, and efficiently.

Law Enforcement Operations

• Performs the full range of law enforcement duties, including protecting life and property, responding to calls for service, enforcing laws and ordinances, making arrests, issuing traffic citations, collecting evidence, and providing emergency assistance and first aid.
• Conducts roll call and disseminates departmental information, including memoranda, general orders, special orders, and other operational directives.
• Assists patrol officers with investigations, interviews, interrogations, arrests, and other law enforcement activities as necessary.
• Responds to critical incidents and assumes or supports command responsibilities as appropriate.
• Testifies in court and other legal or administrative proceedings as required.

Investigations and Case Management

• Investigates internal and external complaints involving police personnel.
• Conducts and oversees complex criminal investigations.
• Develops investigative leads, identifies criminal activity, and assists in identifying and apprehending suspects.
• Conducts interviews and interrogations of suspects and witnesses; obtains oral, written, or recorded statements and confessions when appropriate.
• Reviews investigative reports, arrest reports, incident reports, and related documentation prepared by subordinate personnel for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with departmental standards.

Crime Scene and Evidence Management

• Responds to, secures, and processes crime scenes using appropriate investigative techniques, tools, and safety protocols.
• Collects, preserves, packages, and documents physical evidence in accordance with legal and departmental requirements.
• Utilizes photographic equipment, fingerprinting techniques, chemicals, and other investigative tools as required.
• Ensures proper chain of custody and compliance with departmental evidence-handling procedures.

Training and Accreditation

• Provides or coordinates in-service training for departmental personnel.
• Provides coaching and guidance to subordinate personnel regarding departmental policies, procedures, law enforcement practices, and professional standards.

Community and Interagency Relations

• Develops and maintains effective professional working relationships with other law enforcement agencies to facilitate information sharing, case coordination, and investigative support.
• Meets with residents, businesses, community organizations, and other stakeholders to exchange information, address concerns, and obtain feedback.
• Promotes positive police-community relations and supports the Department's community-oriented policing initiatives.

 Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must possess a valid unrestricted driver’s license
• Must possess a clean driving record
• Must be in good standing with any current or previous law enforcement agency and/or applicable law enforcement certification authority.
• A minimum of seven (7) years of comprehensive law enforcement experience, including significant supervisory or acting command responsibilities.
• A minimum of four (4) years of experience in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Experience in performance management, including employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, coaching, and staff development, is required.

Knowledge of:

• principles and practices of personnel management, including employee evaluations, disciplinary processes, staff development, and labor relations considerations.
• applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules, and regulations.
• patrol operations, emergency response protocols, and incident command principles.
• criminal investigation methods, including preliminary and follow-up investigations, interviews, interrogations, evidence collection, and case documentation.
• training principles, performance evaluation methods, employee development, and corrective discipline.
• community policing strategies and principles of effective police-community relations.
• courtroom procedures, rules of evidence, and effective testimony.
• emergency management, critical incident response, and disaster operations.

Ability to:

• communicate clearly and effectively with a wide range of individuals and groups.
• assess rapidly changing situations and make sound, accurate, and timely decisions.
• prioritize assignments, delegate responsibilities, and exercise independent judgment.
• speak effectively before employees, community groups, public officials, and the general public and respond appropriately to questions.
• prepare clear, concise, accurate, and comprehensive written reports, correspondence, and procedural documentation.
• articulate facts and information clearly while testifying in court or other legal or administrative proceedings.
• deal courteously, professionally, and firmly with the public during emergency and non-emergency situations.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, subordinate personnel, government officials, partner agencies, and the public.
• remain calm, composed, and decisive under emergency and stressful conditions.
• analyze law enforcement problems and take prompt, effective, and responsible action while considering potential risks and hazards.

Skill in:

• preparing clear, concise, and accurate written reports and correspondence.
• exercising tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• organizing work, establishing priorities, meeting deadlines, and ensuring appropriate follow-up on assignments.
• applying logical reasoning and sound judgment to solve problems and interpret and communicate complex policies, procedures, laws, and operational protocols.
• safely and effectively using all assigned equipment, including police vehicles, emergency equipment, firearms, restraint devices, communications equipment, technical equipment, and first aid equipment.

Any equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. EACH APPLICANT MUST INCLUDE INFORMATION THAT CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE ABOVE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION.

This is a full-time, permanent position designated as essential. Work schedules are determined by management and may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and City-Sponsored events, as operational needs dictate. Candidates must successfully pass a comprehensive background investigation, including psychological, polygraph, medical, and drug screenings. The salary range is $64,475 - $67,739 per year commensurate with qualifications and experience. Interested applicants should submit a resume to Karen D.C. Shoultz at [email protected]  by the closing date of September 10, 2026.

Applications will be submitted to management throughout the opening period for review and consideration.  The City of Glenarden is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and professional work environment.  Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.