Police Captain

The Civil Service Commission of Cleveland HeightsAnnouncement of a Competitive Promotional Examination(s) for Captain
ELIGIBILITY: No person shall be eligible to take an examination for promotion to a position in a higher grade or rank who has not served at least twelve (12) months in the next lower grade or rank, as per Civil Service Rule IV, Sections 9(g). An application will not be accepted while administrative charges or criminal charges are pending against an applicant, as per Civil Service Rule IV, Section 9(d).

APPLICATIONS: Eligible applicants may submit application on-line at www.clevelandheights.com. Click on the Employment Opportunities tab. Applications will be accepted Wednesday, April 8, 2026 to Sunday, May 24, 2026.

WRITTEN EXAMINIATION:

Time: Monday, June 8, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Cleveland Heights Community Center, 1 Monticello Blvd. Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Must achieve a passing grade of 70% or better to continue onto the Oral Assessment Board.
Test Developed and Administered by Clancy and Associates, LLC.
Suggested Reference material for the written exam attached.

ORAL ASSESSMENT BOARD:
Date: Monday, July 27, 2026
Time: Candidates who achieve a passing grade on the written examination will be assigned a timeslot after the written examination final grades are determined.
Location: Cleveland Heights City Hall, 40 Severance Circle, Cleveland Heights, Ohio

THE CAPTAIN EXAMINATION WILL BE WEIGHTED AS FOLLOWS:
Written – 40%
Oral Assessment – 60%

ADDITIONAL POINTS:
Seniority – As per Civil Service Rule IV, Sections 9(e) points may be added to a minimum passing grade according to the following schedule:
Years 1 – 4:1 point for each year and .5 point of any ½ year or more during the first 4 years
Years 5 – 14: .6 point for each year and .3 point for any ½ year or more during the 5 – 14 years
Maximum:10 points

Education - As per Civil Service Rule IV, Sections 11; points may be added to a minimum passing grade according to the following schedule:

(a.)No Degree Attained

.04 of a point for each semester hour in a college level course where a grade of “C” or better has been attained.

The maximum number of educational points to be attained without a degree under this Section shall not exceed 2.0 points; however, if an applicant has satisfactorily completed the third year of a four-year Baccalaureate Degree Program, 3.5 points shall be granted.

(b.) Associate Degree

2.5 points for an Associate Degree when such degree is not in a law enforcement major.

3.0 points for an Associate Degree attained in a Law Enforcement major.

A maximum of 3.0 shall be granted for an Associate Degree.

An applicant holding an Associate Degree may attain up to a maximum of 2.0 additional points, at the rate of .04 of a point for each semester hour attained with a grade of “C” or better or for each fully completed fifteen (15) classroom hours in police science or training courses provided a certificate of satisfactory completion has been achieved; however, such additional credits up to a maximum of 2.0 points must be earned for courses taken after the Associate Degree has been attained.

(c.) Baccalaureate Degree

6.0 educational points for each applicant who has earned a Baccalaureate Degree.

No applicant shall receive educational points for both an Associate Degree and a Baccalaureate Degree. The maximum educational points to be received by an applicant having a Baccalaureate Degree shall be 6.0.

(d.) Graduate Degree

2.0 educational points in addition to the 6.0 points for the Baccalaureate Degree if an applicant has earned a Master’s Degree.

4.0 educational points in addition to the 6.0 points for the Baccalaureate Degree if an applicant has earned a Juris Doctorate, or other earned Doctorate Degree.

(e.) Additional Educational Credit Criteria

In no event shall educational credits exceed by any combination a maximum of ten points.

No educational points shall be given in a promotional examination to an applicant who took police science training or law enforcement courses as part of the mandatory requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, the Ohio Peace Officers Council or other State regulations, or taken on City time and at City expense by assignment of the Chief of Police.

All credits shall be converted to semester system hours.

Official proof of college degree/transcripts must be presented at the time of application to qualify for education bonus points. The Civil Service Commission will not search personnel files for information. No additional credits will be awarded without the official degree or transcripts submitted at the time of application. Documentation must be uploaded electronically with the application.

SUGGESTED REFERENCE MATERIAL
Police Captain Promotional Examination 2026
Cleveland Heights, Ohio

1.Collective Bargaining Agreements- Current
CLASSIFIED POLICE OFFICERS UNCLASSIFIED SERVICE BASIC PATROL OFFICERS
CLASSIFIED SERVICE CAPTAINS CLASSIFIED LIEUTENANTS CLASSIFIED SERGEANTS

2.Objectively Reasonable, A Legal Guide for Ohio Law Enforcement. By Cmdr. Robert “Bob” Meador Esq., Columbus Police (Ret.) ISBN# 979-8-9899745-0-4 available at www.objectivelyreasonable.com

3.The Arsonist in the Office-Fireproofing Your Life Against Toxic Coworkers, Bosses, Employees and Cultures. By Pete Havel ISBN# 978-1-948484-66-4

4.Leaders Eat Last-Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t. By Simon Sinek ISBN# 978-1-59184801-1

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
The list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive listing of all the duties and responsibilities performed.

• Supervises staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff are trained; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and, making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations
• Plans, coordinates, directs and evaluates the activities and staff of a division within the Police Department
• Reviews and analyzes work and crime statistics and plans to ensure efficient allocation of police manpower, maximize utilization of resources and achieve the highest possible productivity
• Provides staff assistance to the Chief of Police; functions as a member of the police management staff
• Plans, develops, and implements division goals, objectives, policies and procedures; participates in the developing of plans, objectives, policies and procedures for the entire department
• Analyzes and conducts review of activities to identify problem areas and develop new methods of increasing efficiency of assigned divisions
• Coordinates activities of assigned division with other police bureaus and city departments
• Assists in the development and monitoring of the full department budget
• Oversees internal investigations, use of force, and shooting investigations
• Directs and coordinates community-oriented problem solving efforts
• Responds to and oversees investigations of sensitive or complex citizen problems or complaints
• Coordinates department activities and programs with city staff, city council, and citizens
• Acts in the absence of the Chief of Police
• Performs the essential duties of the job in the conditions described in the physical demands and work environment sections below
• Aids in establishing the goals and objectives for the department
• Manages the operations of the 12-day Jail Facility
• Maintains regular attendance and punctuality
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITES:
Exercises supervision of personnel in related area of responsibility.QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of supervision and personnel administration
• Community policing methods and techniques
• Management and leadership principles
• Public relations principles
• Budget administration principles
• Federal, state, and local laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations with regard to law enforcement
• Modern police methods, practices and procedures
• Strategic planning principles
• Program/project management planning principles and techniques
• Theories, principles, and practices of modern police administration and law enforcement methods
• Geography of the City
• Labor relations' practices
• City policies and procedures and Cleveland Heights Police Department policies and procedures

Skill in:

• Using a computer and related software applications
• Using modern office equipment

Ability to:

• Plan, organize and direct division activities of the Police Department
• Monitor, evaluate and assign work to employees
• Perform a broad range of management responsibilities over others
• Manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Analyze and develop policies and procedures
• Train and evaluate assigned staff
• Conduct negotiations and mediations
• Interpret and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• Render credible testimony in a court of law
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals
• Analyze, interpret, and understand technical and statistical information
• Prepare and give presentations
• Evaluate a situation, make effective decisions under pressure, and take appropriate action
• Manage the receipt of complaints, reports of emergencies and/or requests for service; determine the need for Police action and delivery of Police services
• Keep privileged information confidential
• Work effectively under stress
• Maintain moral standards and integrity
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others
• Resolving conflict
• Managing change and sensitive topics
• Communicate and use interpersonal skills to interact with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
A High School Diploma or GED and at least one year of full-time service as a law enforcement Lieutenant with the Cleveland Heights Police Department. Additional education cannot be substituted for experience.

CERTIFICATION/ LICENSURE:

• Must have at the time of hire and be able to maintain a valid Ohio driver’s license.
• Peace Officer Certification as required by the Ohio Peace Officers Training Council

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
May be required to perform necessary field activities when responding to a major incident.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The majority of time will be spent in a typical office environment, however, may respond to major incidents.