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The Police Department The Orono Police Department serves the nearly 12,000 residents in the Cities of Orono, Long Lake, Minnetonka Beach and Spring Park, Minnesota referred to as the Police Service Area (PSA.) The City of Orono is mainly residential, with the exception of the historic Navarre commercial area and a commercial corridor along Highway 12. The City of Minnetonka Beach is strictly residential and the Cities of Spring Park and Long Lake have an industrial and commercial base. Spring Park is also the location of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Water Patrol Division. The Orono Police Department utilizes the services of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Dispatch Unit located in Golden Valley. Surrounding communities have a mutual aid agreement for fire and police services. All area regional parks are under jurisdiction of the Three Rivers Regional Park District Rangers. Fire protection for the PSA is provided through contractual arrangements with the Cities of Long Lake, Wayzata, and Mound.

The Orono Police Department has 18 full time police officers, 4 part time officers, 3 civilian support staff and 2 community service officers. A Police Advisory Commission, consisting of representatives from the PSA, works closely with the Police Chief.

The Orono Police Department works cooperatively with community based groups such as Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth and Partners in Prevention, with the local schools and with other law enforcement agencies in the area on youth issues. A School Resource Officer is assigned to the Orono School District and bike officers patrol the Luce Line, area boat landings, local parks, and neighborhoods.


Police Chief Priorities

• Establish, maintain and strengthen relationships with the members of the PSA, the Fire Department, and other public safety agencies, particularly the County Sheriff and the Sheriff’s Water Patrol, and adjacent Police Departments.

• Through staff development and targeted assignments, keep Police staff motivated, productive, and effective in providing an environment in the PSA in which people feel safe at home, work, and play.

• Focus on community policing and neighborhood patrol, with an emphasis on building neighborhood watch groups.

• Make an effort to improve Department morale in a changing environment.

• Maintain regular contact with the PSA and the Police Advisory Commission through attendance at regular Council meetings.

• Assist supervisors in setting clear goals and expectations for staff.

• Provide budget and financial information to the PSA.

• Finalize Department policies and procedures manual.

• Promote the enforcement of traffic violations.

• Determine and provide information to measure the comparative need for and actual use of police services within the PSA.

• Coordinate Emergency Management Services.

• Strengthen the police reserve program.

• Evaluate staffing levels and the need for special assignments within the context of contractual arrangements of the PSA and the Orono Police Department.

• Ensure any new hires match the service values and priorities of the PSA and the Orono Police Department.


The Position

The Chief of Police provides the leadership for law enforcement in the PSA and supervises a department of trained officers. Specific duties include:

• Staff, supervise and train personnel to ensure law enforcement services are provided to the PSA.

• Establish and maintain relationships with the members of the PSA and the Fire Department

• Formulate long and short term goals for effective police services.

• Provide community outreach services to citizens and neighborhood groups.

• Oversee contractual agreements with cities in the PSA.

• Develop and monitor the Department annual budget.

• Oversee investigations for all crimes and traffic accidents and present evidence as appropriate.

• Coordinate emergency preparedness functions as directed by the City Administrator.

• Review the performance of subordinate officers as a basis for providing counsel and/or commendations

• Recommend to the City Administrator disciplinary action.

• Participate as necessary in regular police work activities, including arrests, interrogation, and collection of evidence.

• Keep City Administrator, City Council and Police Advisory Commission informed of police operations.

• Encourage supervisory personnel to review performance of personnel assigned under their supervision.


Background and Experience

Candidates for the Chief of Police position should possess at least a four year degree (Master’s Degree preferred) and have ten years of progressively responsible experience in police work including command experience. Qualified candidates should be eligible for P.O.S.T. certification. Advanced police training is desirable. Preferred background includes:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of modern police administration and police methods including broad patrol experience.

• Strong customer service and public relations orientation, and experience in building relationships in the community, particularly with organizations served and other public safety agencies

• Knowledge of scientific methods of crime detection and criminal identifications.

• Knowledge of federal and state laws and ordinances.

• Community policing experience and familiarity with youth programs.

• Understanding of mutual aid, working with multi-jurisdictional agencies and contractual agreements.

• Broad background in internal personnel issues and the grievance process.

• Significant experience in staff training and development.

• Experience working with a paid-on-call fire department.

• Ability to prepare and present oral and written materials relating to the activities of the Department.

• Knowledge of emergency management principles and procedures.

• Familiarity with software, technology and equipment pertinent to police operations.

• Some knowledge of contractual arrangements for police service is preferable.


Management Capabilities

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with city officials, state and federal authorities and the public.

• Maintain relationships with the Fire Department and members of the PSA.

• Maintain a presence and visibility with constituents. Participate in community events and work cooperatively with schools, businesses and community groups.

• Support supervisory staff in management decisions and hold them to clearly defined development expectations.

• Keep staff motivated, productive, and effective through staff development and targeted assignments.

• Keep open lines of communications and regular contact with the Police Advisory Commission.

• Possess a high customer service orientation.

• Have an appreciation of working in a semi-rural environment.

• Be willing to participate in patrol activities on a regular basis.


The Police Service Area

The four cities served by the Orono Police Department have a long history of cooperation. While each city is very unique, collectively they also form a strong community. Long Lake, with a population of 1,800, is a well-balanced community with a range of housing, a local beach, neighborhood parks, and a successful retail area that is poised for a renaissance as the now busy Highway 12 that runs through downtown is reclaimed as a traditional mainstreet. Minnetonka Beach is a close-knit lakeshore residential community with a population of 618. Their only commercial entity is the beautiful Lafayette Country Club on Lake Minnetonka. Spring Park, with a population of 1,659, is located on a narrow strip of land between two Lake Minnetonka bays. Spring Park has high density residential development, a marina and public boat launch, the Sheriff’s Water Patrol headquarters, and a successful retail component, including Lord Fletcher’s Old Lake Lodge, a popular gathering place on the lake.

The City of Orono is a second ring suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota located approximately 12 miles west of downtown Minneapolis. Orono is a community of many natural resources situated on the north shore of Lake Minnetonka, the 10th largest lake in Minnesota, with five other lakes within its boundaries. The total area of the city is 24 square miles, which is comprised of 16 square miles of land and 8 square miles of lakes including 40% of Lake Minnetonka’s shoreline. The population of Orono is 7,700, with a substantial population increase during the summer months. Orono consists primarily of single-family housing with the exception of Navarre - a small commercial district in the southwestern portion of the city. Orono totally encompasses the Cities of Long Lake and Minnetonka Beach. Due to the lake location and landmass, Orono is home to many municipal and regional parks and recreational facilities including Morris T. Baker Park, Noerenburg Regional Park, Wolsfeld Woods and Big Island Park on Big Island in Lake Minnetonka.

The City of Orono has a strong philosophy of preservation and conservation, focusing on the following:

1. Protecting and preserving Lake Minnetonka, its water quality, and its recreational assets;
2. Protecting and preserving the many natural resources and open spaces;
3. Preserving the distinct urban and rural land use patterns and lifestyles; and
4. Preserving local character and identity.


Parks and Recreation

Orono has over 1,600 acres of public open space including several regional parks. Notable are Baker Park, Wood Rill, Wolsfeld Woods and Noerenberg Park, as well as several regional recreational trails that include the Luce Line Trail and the planned Dakota Rail Trail which will connect the cities of Orono, Wayzata, Minnetonka Beach, Spring Park, Mound, Minnetrista, and St. Bonifacius.

Orono has a municipal nine-hole public golf course, founded in 1924. All or portions of three private golf courses are located in Orono, including Woodhill County Club, Wayzata Country Club and Spring Hill Country Club.

Also located in Orono, is Wood Rill, an ecologically significant site donated to the Department of Natural Resources in 1979 by Orono residents. The land gift is comprised of 108 acres plus a conservation easement for 41 adjacent acres. Wood Rill preserves a beautiful and sizeable remnant of the Big Woods, the vast ecosystem that once covered 2,000 square miles of Minnesota. Undisturbed old-growth forest here varies from 120 to 400 years old.


Education

Orono, as well as the other Police Service Area cities, is served primarily by the Orono School District and the Westonka School District. Additionally the Wayzata and Minnetonka School Districts serve portions of Orono. Located within the City are Orono Schumann Elementary, Orono Intermediate School, Orono Middle School, and
Orono Sr. High School.

The Hill School served as a public school from 1892 to 1957, as well as a community meeting place, library and art center. In 1997, the school was secured by the Lake Minnetonka Environmental School, renovated and reopened as a private non-profit school for Grades 1-8.


The Organization

The City of Orono operates under the “Optional Plan A” form of government with an appointed City Administrator. The City employs 47 full-time staff in Administration, Finance, Police and Public Services including eight public works staff and six building and zoning staff.


Announcement

Police Chief, City of Orono, MN (pop 7,700). Salary range $79,200 to 93,200. Distinctive second ring residential suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota situated on Lake Minnetonka. Under a contractual agreement, the Orono Police Department provides services to the Cities of Orono, Long Lake, Minnetonka Beach and Spring Park, Minnesota. The Police Chief reports to the City Administrator and supervises 18 full time police officers, 4 part time officers, 3 civilian support staff and 2 CSOs. Candidates for the Police Chief position should possess a four year degree (Master’s preferred) and have ten years of progressively responsible experience in police work including command experience.

Qualified candidates should be eligible for P.O.S.T. certification. Advanced police training is desirable. Prefer experience in staff development, contractual agreements, and strong customer service orientation. Position Profile available. Send resume by 4/20/07 to The Brimeyer Group Executive Search; 50 S. 9th Ave., #101, Hopkins, MN 55343. Phone (952) 945-0246, Fax (952) 945-0102, e-mail: brimgroup@aol.com web: www.brimgroup.com

For more information: www.ci.orono.mn.us


Timetable

4/20/07 Deadline for Application

5/14/07 Present Candidates/Select Candidates

Week of 5/21/07 Interviews/Selection

July 2007 Start Date