City of Tampa

This is responsible work involving planning and coordination of law enforcement participation in special events, including parades, festivals, dignitary events, and other events that warrant support by the police department.

The employee in this class performs work of more than average difficulty in serving as a primary individual for analysis and implementation of the city’s law enforcement resources in support of special events, including events initiated and sponsored by external agencies as well as city sponsored/co-sponsored events. Work is performed under general supervision and requires the ability to review special event situations and determine the impact on law enforcement resources. Some events are pre-planned while others are in reaction to emergency situations. Development of special event deployment plans for dealing with traffic conditions, crowd control, staffing needs, use of equipment and related crime issues requires the exercise of reasonable initiative and independent judgment. Coordination with various segments of the police department, as well as with other city and outside agencies, necessitates the exercise of considerable tact and discretion. Employees may be required to work on weekends and during irregular hours dependent upon events. Work is reviewed while in progress and through reports submitted and results obtained.

Acts as a liaison between the Police Department and special event representatives within the City organization who receive and process special events and/or right-of-way permits; receives information on events and conducts an initial analysis to determine if law enforcement resources are sufficient to provide necessary support for the event; participates in planning and review meetings with representatives of other city departments and with representatives of event sponsors; recommends approval or disapproval of events based on analysis; develops and submits departmental costs associated with the provision of resources for special events.

Evaluates special events conditions, establishes and recommends plans for the deployment and use of law enforcement resources, including sworn personnel and equipment; examines maintenance of traffic [MOT] plans involving the placement of barricades, cones, street closures, alternate street usage, etc. and coordinates MOT proposals with the city’s transportation/public works department; creates maps and other visual displays of proposed deployment that may be evaluated and utilized by police command and supervisory personnel.

Establishes staffing needs for special events, including appropriate relief staffing; coordinates with the department’s extra duty section for necessary off-duty staff when on-duty personnel are not involved in event support or to augment regular personnel where necessary; coordinates planning and deployment proposals with other law enforcement agencies when mutual aid or other cooperative efforts are required; ensures that other departments, outside agencies, media and the community receive necessary information related to special events.

Participates in pre-event review to determine that approved plans will be implemented as scheduled; checks placement of cones and barricades; confirms street closures, etc.; makes appropriate contacts with other departments and entities for follow-up to ensure planned staffing, equipment placement, and support activities are in order and provided in a timely manner.

Serves as advisor and evaluator to event commander on scene at designated special events; assists in providing pre-planned and contingency plan data to event commander and in proposing amendments to plans as may be required; assists in proposing actions when unexpected situations occur.

Coordinates and/or participates in the analysis and review of the effectiveness of the department’s activities in special events situations; works with representatives of other city departments and outside entities in post event evaluation of recurring special events to develop improved support planning; works with operational and fiscal units to establish correct accounting in terms of staff-hours, equipment usage and other support resource costs for the department’s participation in special events.

Develops and recommends policies and procedures for police support of special events; submits reports on special events.

Performs related work as required.

Working knowledge of: police department organizational structure and standard operating procedures; modern police procedures, methods and terminology; traffic management and maintenance of traffic.

Ability to: establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, municipal officials, representatives of special event sponsors, and the general public and deal with public relations problems tactfully and courteously; prepare maps and other visual representations of staff and equipment deployment; follow complex instructions, assimilate information, interpret written and numerical data, and arrive at decisions independently in accordance with establish rules and policy.

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement (criminology; criminal justice, etc.), planning or a related field and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in law enforcement, public safety, or a field related to planning and managing police resources; or an associates degree in law enforcement (criminology; criminal justice, etc.), planning or a related field and seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in law enforcement, public safety, or a field related to planning and managing police resources; preferably including six (6) months in experience in special event planning and management.

Possession of a valid Florida drivers license required.

Employees may be required to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as needed. During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.