The chief of police shall be the commander and administrative head of the police department. The chief is the head law enforcement officer of the city and reports to the mayor. Eligibility requirements for the position shall generally be established by written job descriptions and by directions of the mayor and city council and shall be consistent with the criteria specified in RCW 35A.12.020. In the absence of the chief of police, the next highest-ranking officer of the department shall assume the command of the department unless otherwise specified by written directive from the chief of police. (Ord. 2660 § 2, 2004)