Full Time Police Chief Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $161,760.00 - $244,563.00 Annually
Location : City Hall, 1110 West Capitol Ave, West Sacramento, CA
Job Type: Regular Full Time
Job Number: 2026-00078
Department: POLICE
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 9/13/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: POLMGT
Police Lieutenant Recruitment Flyer
The City of West Sacramento is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Police Lieutenant. Ideal candidates will have a strong commitment to community policing, demonstrate leadership skills, and have experience in managing and coordinating the work of sworn and civilian personnel in a law enforcement agency. Candidates with a strong track record in fostering positive relationships with the community, local organizations, and fellow team members are highly preferred.
Here in West Sacramento, we understand the value of our employees and offer a competitive annual base salary ranging from $161,760 to $244,563**depending on experience with a 3% salary increase on 1/1/2027. But that's not all. Our generous benefits package is designed to support you in your career and beyond. This includes career enhancement and wellness reimbursements up to $1,000 annually, up to 15% education incentives and post certification, a 3% contribution to a 401a, and up to $2,601 a month for family medical, dental, and vision insurance. And let's not forget - your previous sworn years of service will count towards your vacation accrual rate and contribution amount to your retiree health savings account.
We're excited to meet potential candidates who share our vision for a safer, more inclusive West Sacramento.
**Top Step Displayed Includes The Following:

1. Base pay: $16,424 top step
2. Education Incentive: 10% (5% for a Bachelor's Degree and 5% for a Masters Degree for a total of 10%)
3. POST Certificates: 5% (5% for POST Management Certificate plus completion a professional development course that is pre-approved by the Police Chief)
4. 401a city contribution, no match required - 3%
5. Career Enhancement/Wellness Reimbursement - $1000 Annually
6. Eligible for an additional 5% bilingual incentive (not included in total displayed amount)

DEFINITION: The Police Lieutenant performs responsible, high-level administrative and technical work for the Police Department.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: The Police Lieutenant receives general direction from the Police Chief or designee and exercises direct supervision over sworn and civilian personnel.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS: This is a management level position. The incumbent reports to the Police Chief or his/her designee and has responsibility for providing direct supervision over sworn and civilian personnel.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (Illustrative Only): Management reserves the right to add, modify, change or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Plans, organizes, manages and reviews the work of any major division in the department.
• Supervises and coordinates the department's training services.
• Accesses training needs.
• Develops and implements training programs and materials.
• Recruits instructors.
• Maintains responsibility for confidential personnel records.
• Assumes responsibility for a variety of personnel actions, including selection, training, performance evaluation, recommending disciplinary measures, and dismissal.
• Reviews performance evaluations of subordinate personnel.
• Prepares activity reports as requested.
• Coordinates and oversees crime prevention programs.
• Develops and coordinates special programs aimed at community needs.
• Researches and prepares grants for special programs.
• Conducts studies, analyzes specific or overall operation(s) of the department and implements solutions to problem areas.
• Assists Police Chief in establishment of department goals, objectives, and priorities.
• Reviews arrests and citations for probable cause, elements of offense, and sufficiency of evidence.
• Reviews reports and written materials for completeness, accuracy, neatness, grammar, spelling and format.
• Responds to and provides necessary coordination and direction at scenes of major field incidents.
• Assists in the preparation of department budget.
• Investigates complaints pertaining to department activities and personnel.
• Conducts internal affairs investigations.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of: Modern principles, practices and techniques of police administration, organization and operation; technical and administrative phases of crime prevention and law enforcement, including investigation and identification, patrol, traffic control, juvenile delinquency control, record keeping, and care and custody of persons including the California Penal Code, Vehicle Code, Health and Safety Code, Welfare and Institutions Code, Business and Professions Code, and relevant provisions of State and local codes; CALEA National Accreditation Process; concepts and theory of tactical communication; current training techniques, programs and materials related to law enforcement; use of firearms and other modern police equipment; principles and practices of organization and personnel management in municipal government.
Skill in: Planning, directing, managing and coordinating a major division of a police department; assessing, developing and implementing training programs, techniques and materials; communicating clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; recommending and implementing sound departmental policies; meeting and dealing tactfully and effectively with the public; properly interpreting and making decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, and policies; establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Any combination of training and experience which would provide the required knowledge and skill. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and skill would be:
Education: High school diploma or equivalent plus sixty (60) college semester units from an accredited college or university with major course work in police science, business administration, or public administration. A Bachelor's Degree preferred.
Experience: Six (6) years experience as a peace officer in a municipal or general law enforcement agency. For internal applicants of the City of West Sacramento, two (2) years of the experience requirement must include increasingly responsible experience as a permanent first level supervisor in a law enforcement agency granting peace officer powers under Penal Code Section 830.1. For external applicants, three (3) years of the experience requirement must include increasingly responsible experience as a permanent first level supervisor in a law enforcement agency granting peace officer powers under Penal Code Section 830.1.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES: Possession and maintenance of a California driver's license; possession of a California POST Supervisory certificate at time of appointment.
WORKING CONDITIONS: Incumbents will be required to wear the appropriate Police Department uniform; requires driving on surface streets and occasional exposure to traffic hazards, weather conditions, violence, above average noise, working at heights, etc.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk or in a vehicle for long periods of time; intermittently walk, stand, run, climb, balance, bend, squat, twist and reach while performing office duties and/or police work; lift light to moderately heavy weights; requires the strength and stamina to perform law enforcement duties, including handling firearms, making arrests, and driving a motor vehicle; requires manual dexterity to perform simple grasping and fine manipulation including operating a keyboard; vision to read handwritten and printed material and a computer screen; hearing and speech to communicate in person and by telephone or radio.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS: Work in an office and field environment; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; exposure to an emergency peace control environment; travel to attend a variety of meetings.
An applicant who qualifies for veterans' preference and successfully places on an eligibility list for initial entrance into employment with the city shall be advanced one rank on the final eligibility list. Where there are five (5) or less qualified applicants, no veterans' preference shall apply and all applicants shall be placed on the certification list forwarded to the departments for hiring consideration. The exercise of veterans' preference shall be exhausted upon appointment to a regular position from an eligibility list.
An official City of West Sacramento application form must be filled out, in its entirety. It is the applicant's responsibility to explain their qualifications fully and clearly. In addition, applicants must submit a resume and complete the required supplemental questionnaire (if applicable). Incomplete information on the application, resume and/or supplemental questionnaire may be cause for disqualification. Application packages will be reviewed and screened for qualifications. Additional screening criteria will be developed based on the supplemental questionnaire (if applicable).
Join the City of West Sacramento and unlock a world of exceptional benefits! We invite you to explore our comprehensive benefits package, tailored to support your well-being and professional growth. Click the link below to access a detailed summary of the rich benefits offered for your desired position. At the City of West Sacramento, we go above and beyond to show our appreciation for our dedicated employees.
Our benefits package includes not just the essentials, but also unique perks that set us apart. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes with pet insurance for your furry family members. Stay fit and healthy with our discounted gym memberships. Take advantage of our voluntary benefits that allow you to customize your coverage to fit your lifestyle. And when life gets challenging, our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Concern is here to support you with confidential counseling, work-life resources, and 24/7 support for personal and professional matters.
By joining our team, you're not just starting a job - you're embarking on a rewarding career path in a supportive and inclusive environment. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects our commitment to attracting and retaining top talent. Experience the difference of working for an employer who truly values your contributions and well-being. Discover why the City of West Sacramento is the ideal place to grow your career and enrich your life. Click below to learn more about the benefits waiting for you!
01
To be considered for the position, all candidates are required to fully complete and submit the required supplemental questionnaire and application. An incomplete application or supplemental questionnaire will be grounds for rejection and cannot be revised after submission. Resumes may be attached but applications with "see resume" will be considered incomplete. The answers to the questions below will be evaluated along with the information provided in your employment application. Therefore, your answers must be consistent with your employment application information (especially in the "education" and "work experience" sections), must be unambiguous, and must contain sufficient but concise detail and organization to facilitate the screening process.All statements made on the application are subject to investigation and verification, including the use of copying and pasting answers verbatim from Artificial Intelligence (A/I) programs such as Chat GPT or Google Gemini. False statements may be cause for disqualification, or discharge from employment.By checking "yes," I certify that I understand and have followed the application instructions.

• Yes
• No

02
Please indicate which certificates you possess. (Copies of certificates must be uploaded to application)

• California POST Supervisory Certificate
• California POST Management Certificate
• California POST Executive Certificate
• Out of State Law Enforcement Certificates
• None of the above

03
Do you possess any of the following degrees from an accredited college or university preferably with a major in police science, public administration, sociology, criminal justice or related field?

• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• None of the above

04
Do you possess at least six (6) years of experience in police work?

• Yes
• No

05
Do you have at least two (2) years experience in a supervisory capacity if an internal applicant of the City of West Sacramento, OR three (3) years experience in a supervisory capacity if an external applicant of the City of West Sacramento?Experience requirement must include increasingly responsible experience as a permanent first level supervisor in a law enforcement agency granting peace officer powers under Penal Code Section 830.1

• Yes
• No

06
Do you currently work in a sworn capacity in the State of California?

• Yes
• No

07
In 1,000 words, or less, describe your approach to developing and preparing employees for increased responsibility. Provide an example of how you have identified an employee's strengths or deficiencies, established a development plan, and used coaching, mentoring, training, or accountability measures to improve their performance or prepare them for future leadership responsibilities. What was the outcome?
08
I certify that all the