Resolution No. 2021-026RESOLUTION NO. 2021-26
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF VERNON
APPOINTING ROBERT SOUSA TO SERVE AS THE POLICE CHIEF OF
THE CITY OF VERNON AND APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING THE
EXECUTION OF A RELATED AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
SECTION 1. Recitals.
A.Following the announcement of the July 28, 2021, retirement of the existing Police
Chief, the Human Resources Department initiated a recruitment process to fill the
vacancy.
B.The Human Resources Department created an executive recruitment brochure for
the position (attached hereto as Exhibit A) and conducted a broad and extensive
recruitment that included multiple screenings and interviews of numerous applicants.
C.The City Council conducted final interviews of the two highest ranking candidates
at a special City Council meeting on July 6, 2021.
D.The City Administrator recommended Robert Sousa to the City Council of the City
of Vernon as the most qualified candidate and initiated the pursuit of the employment of
Sousa as the Police Chief of the City of Vernon, subject to approval of an at -will
employment agreement and successful completion of the pre-employment process.
E.The City Council of the City of Vernon desires to appoint Robert Sousa to serve as
the Police Chief, effective July 29, 2021.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 2. The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby finds and determines
that the above recitals are true and correct.
SECTION 3. The City Council hereby appoints Robert Sousa to serve as the
Police Chief of the City of Vernon, effective July 29, 2021.
SECTION 4. The City Council hereby approves and authorizes the execution of
the At-Will Employment Agreement with Robert Sousa to serve as Police Chief of the City
of Vernon, in substantially the same form as attached hereto as Exhibit B .
SECTION 5. The City Clerk, or any authorized officer, shall administer the Oath
of Office prescribed in the Constitution of the State of California to Sousa and shall have
him subscribe to it and file it with the Human Resources Department .
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_______________________
SECTION 6. The City Council of the City of Vernon hereby directs the City Clerk,
or the City Clerk’s designee, to give a fully executed Agreement to Sousa.
SECTION 7. The City Clerk shall certify the passage and adoption of this
resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 20th day of July, 2021.
_____________________________
MELISSA YBARRA, Mayor
ATTEST:
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
ZAYNAH N. MOUSSA,
Interim City Attorney
I CERTIFY THAT THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION NO. 2021-26 was passed and
adopted by the City Council of the City of Vernon at the Regular meeting on July 20, 2021
by the following vote:
AYES: 5 Council Members: Larios, Lopez, Merlo, Davis, Ybarra
NOES: 0
ABSENT: 0
ABSTAIN: 0
________________________________
LISA POPE, City Clerk
(seal)
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Invites your interest for the position of
POLICE CHIEF
CITY OF VERNON
Exhibit A Resolution No. 2021-26
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THE COMMUNITY
The City of Vernon is an industrial city of 5.2 square miles located about five
miles to the southeast of downtown Los Angeles. Founded in 1905 as the
first exclusively industrial city in the Southwestern United States (its residential
population is approximately 250). Vernon currently houses more than 1,800
businesses that employ approximately 50,000 people, serving as a vital
economic region. Vernon offers an environment uniquely friendly to business
and is home to many Fortune 500 companies in industries that include food
and agriculture, apparel, steel, plastics, logistics and home furnishings.
Vernon maintains strong philanthropic ties with the neighboring communities
where much of its workforce lives, providing significant support for public
services such as health care and education.
The City is about to embark on aggressive plans for its future as it moves
towards increasing its residential population. With Vernon’s proximity to
downtown Los Angeles and major regional and worldwide economic
markets and industries, unique opportunities exist in the community to address
regional housing shortages while establishing itself as an ideal place to both
live and work.
THE ORGANIZATION
The five members of the City Council are elected at large, on a non-partisan
basis, for five year staggered terms and, as a result of 2011 Charter
amendments, no person may serve more than two full terms of office. The
Mayor is selected by the Council. The City’s total budget for FY 2021-22
is a little over $342 million (the General Fund budget is almost $78 million)
with approximately 205 employees. Vernon continues on the path towards
creating greater accountability, transparency, community engagement, and
fiscal sustainability with the goal to create a model government.
The City of Vernon is a full-service municipal organization providing a range
of high quality and responsive services to the community. In addition to
the Police Department, services are provided through eight (8) other City
departments including Administration, City Attorney, City Clerk, Finance,
Health and Environmental Control, Human Resources, Public Utilities, and
Public Works. Since October of 2020, Fire services are provided through
a contractual partnership with the Los Angeles County Fire Protection District.
THE POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Vernon Police Department is dedicated to providing excellence in public
safety to the community through superior service and community involvement.
Departmental personnel are expected to perform their duties with a high
degree of professionalism. In recent years, the Vernon Police Department
has been actively engaged with the Vernon community and has established
itself as a well-respected community partner. In addition, the Department
has developed an engaged professional and respectful reputation with its
regional law enforcement partner agencies.
The Department is organized into two divisions: Patrol Field Services and
Support Services, and consists of 43 sworn and 14 non-sworn personnel.
In addition to the Chief, sworn positions include 32 Police Officers,
7 Police Sergeants, 2 Police Lieutenants, and 1 Police Captain.
THE POSITION
Under limited supervision, the Police Chief plans, directs, and coordinates
the operations of all personnel and activities of the Police Department; directs
staff to provide for the safety and security of the citizens, and provides
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THE POSITION, con’t.
command leadership to assure the delivery of professional police service in an efficient and ethical manner;
assures the operations of the Vernon Police Department are in compliance with state and federal laws and City
of Vernon policies and standards; performs other related duties and responsibilities as may be required. The
Police Chief is appointed by the Vernon City Council and reports directly to and is under supervision of the City
Administrator to exercise full responsibility for the overall supervision and operation of the Police Department.
The Police Chief is a critical member of the Executive Management team that has been assembled to successfully
address and respond to the myriad of issues that Vernon faces on a daily basis.
The Police Chief must have diverse knowledge in a variety of fields and be able to direct staff. The role requires
the oversight of all police control matters, the utilization of expertise to evaluate solutions, and the ability to
provide critical feedback to urgent, complex issues that arise. Flexibility, levelheadedness in high-pressure
situations, effective verbal and written communication, and delivery of sound direction to staff are components
of an effective leader for the Police Department.
Key challenges and opportunities facing the Police Chief include:
Succession Planning – While staffing in the department is anticipated to stabilize in the immediate future, a strong
mentorship and development of personnel must continue in order to prepare the Department for the future.
Strategic Planning – Preparing for police reform in the wake of the most recent events surrounding community
and race relations, diversity, ethics, and tactical strategies, the chief will need to lead the department in advance
of new legislation that will allow for the most transparent, accountable and complex reforms and reporting
systems.
Advanced Technologies – The chief will need to be astute to the latest technologies that will help provide
oversight, reporting, and accountability for the department.
Advanced Management of Limited Resources – The Police Department maintains a lean operating budget due
to the fiscal challenges from limited revenues and increased costs. It will be essential to maintain a fiscally sound
operating budget managing both expenses and revenues.
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THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The City of Vernon is seeking a hands-on, forward-thinking
Police Chief to help lead the Police Department in meeting
its goals and providing “best-in-class” law enforcement
services to the residents and businesses in the City. The
Police Chief will be an active member of the City’s executive
management team. The desired candidate will bring proven
leadership experience, excellent interpersonal skills, and
a commitment to service and community engagement.
The individual will communicate directly and openly
and maintain a transparent relationship with the City
Administrator, City Council, city staff, and the community.
The ideal candidate will be someone with excellent
diplomacy and relationship-building skills, who is politically
savvy, yet apolitical.
The ideal candidate will recognize the successes recently
made in community engagement, understand the value of
an engaged community, and seek out new and creative
ways to engage with both the residents and businesses that
call Vernon home. An understanding of working in smaller
organizations with smaller budgets will also be key for
success.
The next Police Chief in the City of Vernon should be
versed in the issues surrounding the future of community
policing and have creative solutions to address changes
in regulatory controls and in the public perception and
expectations of law enforcement functions and personnel.
Required Training, Education and Experience:
Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited
college or university with a major in Criminal Science,
Public Administration, or a related field; AND seven years
of professional law enforcement management experience
and two (2) years of experience at or above the level of
Police Captain.
License and Certification Requirements:
A valid California State Driver’s License is required.
Must maintain Peace Officer certification with the California
Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
California POST Advanced Certificate is required.
POST Background Required
The selected candidate will be required to successfully
pass an extensive background investigation and qualifying
medical, psychological, and polygraph examination
consistent with California POST regulations.
Compensation
Effective July 4, 2021 the monthly salary range for this
position is set at $20,152 - $24,494. Salary placement
within the established salary range depends upon
qualifications. In addition, benefits provided include:
Vacation, holiday, sick, and administrative leave; life
insurance; Medical, dental, and vision insurance provided
in an aggregate allowance of up to $1,853.68 per
month for family coverage depending on plan selected.
Pre-tax supplemental insurance plans offered through
AFLAC, Colonial Life, and Mutual of Omaha; the option of
participating in a Section 125 IRS Plan for reimbursement of
dependent care and medical costs; retirement through the
California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS),
with a 3% at 50 formula for classic members (classic
employees pay a 12% total contribution) and a 2.7% at
57 retirement formula for new members (currently new
employees pay a 13.75% contribution); 457 deferred
compensation plan available at employee cost (City does
not contribute); the City does not participate in Social
Security; credit union membership available. The City has a
4/10 work schedule.
Selection Process
Completed application materials will be reviewed and those
whose qualifications best meet or exceed the requirements
of the position and appear to best meet the needs of the
City will be invited to participate in the selection process.
Resumes are not accepted in lieu of City applications.
For a complete job description and more information about
the City of Vernon and the Vernon Police Department,
please visit our website at www.cityofvernon.org
HOW TO APPLY
For an opportunity to work for an outstanding, dynamic,
and progressive City committed to establishing itself as
a model for good governance, please visit our website
at www.cityofvernon.org and apply online. The City of
Vernon is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Required application materials include:
A cover letter, resume and completed City of Vernon online
application.
Filing Deadline: Application materials must be submitted
online no later than 11:59 p.m., Sunday, June 13, 2021.
If you have any
questions, please contact
Michael Earl, Director of
Human Resources
(323) 583-8811
ext. 239 or by email at
mearl@ci.vernon.ca.us
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