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Chief Police Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Ketchum

Police Chief

Ketchum, ID · On-site

The Police Chief plans, directs, manages, and evaluates the operations, personnel, and programs of the City of Ketchum Police Department. This position provides leadership and oversight for law ...

City of Cedar Hill

Police Chief

Cedar Hill, TX

$103K - $154K/yr

Why This Role is Valuable The City of Cedar Hill, proudly known as "The Natural Heart of the Metroplex," is seeking a Police Chief to join our City family. This leader will guide our high-performing ...

City of Ketchum

Police Chief

Ketchum, ID · On-site

The Police Chief plans, directs, manages, and evaluates the operations, personnel, and programs of the City of Ketchum Police Department. This position provides leadership and oversight for law ...

City of Valley NE

Police Chief

NE · On-site

$60K - $120K/yr

Police Chief Salary: $60,000 - $120,000 Annually, dependent on qualifications, payable bi-weekly, plus a benefit package which includes health, dental, vision, life and disability coverage plus ...

City of Lakewood

Assistant Police Chief

Lakewood, WA · On-site

$17K/mo

Assistant Police Chief ***Position to remain posted until filled*** . Please note that the City reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. Please submit a cover letter and resume ...

City of Lakewood, WA

Assistant Police Chief

Lakewood, WA · On-site

$167K - $211K/yr

Serve as Acting Police Chief in the Chief's absence. The Assistant Police Chief will assist in the overall direction of the department's internal operations; directs assigned activities, while ...

City of Valley NE

Police Chief

Valley, NE · On-site

$60K - $120K/yr

Police Chief Title:Police Chief Salary:$60,000- $120,000Annually, dependent on qualifications, payable bi-weekly,plus a benefit package which includes health, dental, vision, life and disability ...

City of Valley

Police Chief

Valley, NE · On-site

Police Chief Salary:$60,000- $120,000Annually, dependent on qualifications, payable bi-weekly,plus a benefit package which includes health, dental, vision, life and disability coverage plus employee ...

City of Valley NE

Police Chief

Valley, NE · On-site

$60K - $120K/yr

Police Chief Salary: $60,000 - $120,000 Annually, dependent on qualifications, payable bi-weekly, plus a benefit package which includes health, dental, vision, life and disability coverage plus ...

Ho-Chunk Nation

CHIEF OF POLICE

Black River Falls, WI · On-site

$50.06/hr

POSITION OVERVIEW The Chief of Police is responsible for the direction of all the operations of the HCN Tribal Police Department. The Chief of Police will be supervising, planning and organizing all ...

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$33K

$124.4K

$200.5K

How much do chief police jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief police in the United States is $124,409.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,000.00 and $146,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Chief Police vs Police Captain?

AspectChief PolicePolice Captain
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or GED, law enforcement training, leadership experienceHigh school diploma or GED, law enforcement training, supervisory experience
Work EnvironmentOversees entire police department, strategic planningManages police precincts or units, supervises officers
Employer & Industry UsageMunicipal or state police departmentsMunicipal police departments, law enforcement agencies
Common Search & ComparisonLeadership role, department oversightMid-level management, precinct supervision

The main difference between a Chief Police and a Police Captain is that the Chief Police holds the top leadership position overseeing the entire police department, focusing on strategic planning and policy. The Police Captain manages specific precincts or units within the department, supervising officers and implementing policies. Both roles require law enforcement experience and leadership skills, but the Chief Police has broader responsibilities and authority.

What are Chief Police?

A Chief Police, often referred to as Chief of Police, is the highest-ranking officer in a police department. They are responsible for overseeing all police operations, managing department personnel, developing policies, and ensuring public safety within their jurisdiction. Chiefs of Police often work closely with city officials and community leaders to address crime, allocate resources, and implement law enforcement strategies. Their leadership is key to maintaining order and fostering trust between the police force and the community.

What are some of the main challenges a Chief Police faces in managing a modern police department?

As a Chief Police, you will encounter the challenge of balancing operational demands with administrative responsibilities, such as budget management and policy development. Keeping up with evolving laws, technology, and community expectations requires ongoing training and adaptability. Additionally, fostering a positive department culture and maintaining public trust while ensuring officer wellness are key challenges. Collaboration with local government, other agencies, and the public is frequent and essential for effective leadership.

What Does a Police Chief Do?

A police chief oversees the police department they serve. As a police chief, your responsibilities and duties include testing, training, and evaluating officers, assigning promotions, delegating casework, and conducting administrative duties. You also assess the overall success of your department in keeping the community safe and make necessary changes to maximize efficiency. You function as a tactical leader, people manager, and public liaison for the department. You must have several years experience in the field conducting patrols and investigations to gain the skills needed for this role.

More about Chief Police jobs
What cities are hiring for Chief Police jobs? Cities with the most Chief Police job openings:
What states have the most Chief Police jobs? States with the most job openings for Chief Police jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Chief Police jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Chief Police jobs are:
Chief Police jobs near you
Infographic showing various Chief Police job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 92% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,409 per year, or $59.8 per hour.
Police Deputy Chief-Campus Police

Police Deputy Chief-Campus Police

The University of Tennessee

Memphis, TN • On-site

$6K - $9K/mo

Full-time

Posted 5 hours ago

Job description

Job Description
Market Range: 15
Hiring Salary: $6,735.34 - $9,429.47/Monthly
JOB SUMMARY/ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Under the direction of the Chief of Campus Police, the Police Deputy Chief serves as the second-in-command of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center Campus Police Department, providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and administrative support to ensure the safety and security of the campus community. This position is instrumental in fostering a culture of integrity, transparency, and community engagement while upholding the highest standards of law enforcement professionalism.
Responsibilities
  1. Collaborate with the Chief of Police to develop long-term strategic plans for departmental growth, modernization, and community impact that align with the UT Health Science Center's mission and values.
  2. Evaluates and implements best practices in campus law enforcement, including data-driven policing and threat assessment protocols.
  3. Leads initiatives to improve departmental culture, morale, and retention through transparent communication and professional development.
  4. Directs daily law enforcement operations, including patrol, investigations, and special events security.
  5. Oversee internal affairs investigations, performance evaluations, and disciplinary actions. Serves as Acting Chief in the absence of the Chief of Police.
  6. Leads departmental initiatives related to crime prevention, emergency preparedness, and community policing.
  7. Evaluates and recommends upgrades to law enforcement technologies, including dispatch systems, surveillance infrastructure, and mobile data terminals.
  8. Leads or supports incident command during critical events such as active threats, natural disasters, or public health emergencies.
  9. Oversees the integration of campus safety technologies such as access control, emergency notification systems, and threat detection software.
  10. Collaborate with the Chief of Police in managing the departmental budget, procurement, and resource allocation in collaboration with university administration.
  11. Supervises and mentors command staff, sworn officers, and civilian personnel.
  12. Serves as a key member of the university's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and participates in continuity planning.
  13. Ensures compliance with federal, state, and local laws, as well as university policies and accreditation standards (e.g., CALEA), IACLEA and TLEA).
  14. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
EDUCATION:
Bachelor's Degree. (Master's Degree preferred.) (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED)
EXPERIENCE:
Five (5) years or more of progressively responsible law enforcement experience; OR a combination of college coursework and related work experience to equal nine (9) years to include five (5) years of supervisory or command role.
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:
Certification as a law enforcement officer in the State of Tennessee or ability to obtain within six (6) months of hire. Must maintain a valid TN Driver's License and current certification with the POST Commission.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
  • Knowledge of Clery Act, Title IX, and other relevant compliance frameworks.
  • Proven leadership in a campus, municipal, or comparable law enforcement agency.

WORK SCHEDULE: This position may occasionally be required to work weekends, evenings, and holidays. May occasionally require overnight travel.

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