Illinois Police Chief Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Full job brochure can be found here - https://ilacp.mcjobboard.net/jobs/233369

The City of Quincy is seeking an experienced, ethical, and forward-thinking law enforcement professional to serve as its next Chief of Police. The ideal candidate should have the ability to serve as a visible and positive advocate for the police department.

Quincy offers the next Chief an exceptional opportunity to lead a dedicated police department and become an integral part of a community that values public safety, strong relationships, and quality of life.

The Quincy Police Department is comprised of committed professionals who take pride in serving those they protect. The next Chief will build upon that strong foundation while providing the vision, leadership, and collaboration necessary to position the department for continued success. The ideal candidate will bring character and experience, vision grounded in practicality, and the ability to lead with both decisiveness and humility.

Candidate Qualifications

Education:

• Associate’s degree or higher is preferred
• Completion of an advanced leadership and senior management training program such as the FBI National Academy, Northwestern’s School of Police Staff and Command, Southern Police Institute’s Administrative Officers Course, or PERF Senior Management Institute for Police is highly desirable.

Experience:

• 15 years of law enforcement experience and a minimum of three years of supervisory experience
• Requires extensive administrative skills, a high degree of responsibility, the ability to deal tactfully and formally with the public and subordinate officers, the ability to prepare and effectively present written and oral informational material, the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and the ability to provide effective leadership and supervision of subordinates.
• Experience with budgeting, HR functions, grant writing, and organizational leadership

Requirements:

• Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board certification or be certified within 6 months of hire
• Possess a valid Illinois driver’s license
• If selected, the candidate must pass an in-depth background check, psychological exam, functional capacity evaluation, medical examination, and drug screen
• Must reside within a 40-mile radius of Quincy City Hall within six months of the effective date of employment; residency within the city preferred
• Ability to work outside of normal business hours including evenings, weekends, holidays, and callbacks as required

Compensation and Benefits

Salary: $130,000 - $142,000

Benefits Package Includes:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Downstate Police Pension
• Deferred Compensation Plan 457(b)
• Vacation & Paid Time Off
• Professional Development and Continuing Education Opportunities
• Equipment, Uniforms, and Company Vehicle Provided

Key Responsibilities

The Chief of Police serves as an important member of the city’s management team and as the chief executive officer and operational leader of the police department. The Chief is responsible for the effective management of the organization along with the administration and delivery of police services to the community.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Lead and oversee all Department operations, personnel, divisions, and special assignments, ensuring effective deployment of resources and personnel.
• Develop and establish the Department's vision, goals, policies, and operational priorities and implement strategies to continually improve police services and organizational effectiveness.
• Embrace modern policing principles, law enforcement best practices, and responsible use of technology.
• Supervise and develop Department personnel, including performance management, training, career pathing, and leadership development.
• Responsible for Labor-Management relations, contract negotiations, and disciplinary process and procedures.
• Manage the Department's fiscal and operational resources, including budget development, expenditures, financial reporting, purchasing, and accountability for departmental property and equipment.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, policies, and professional standards, including responsibilities established by Quincy Municipal Code and state and federal law.
• Foster effective partnerships and interagency cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, governmental organizations, and community partners.
• Promote professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement throughout the Department while maintaining high standards of service to the community.
• Maintain ultimate responsibility and accountability for the Department's management, conduct, and performance.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a progressive, experienced, and community-focused law enforcement leader who brings the character, vision, professional expertise, and management skills necessary to lead the Quincy Police Department into its next chapter.

The successful candidate should demonstrate the following qualities and capabilities:

Leadership, Character, and Vision

• Integrity, fairness, and transparency, with the ability to lead by example, establish clear expectations, promote accountability, and maintain high professional standards.
• Strategic and forward-thinking leadership, with the ability to establish and communicate a clear vision, lead through change, embrace best practices, and balance immediate operational needs with long-term organizational priorities.
• Proven law enforcement leadership experience, including a comprehensive understanding of modern policing, police administration, organizational management, and demonstrated success leading through periods of change or transformation.

Community and Organizational Leadership

• Commitment to community-oriented and proactive policing, with a strong emphasis on strengthening public trust and community partnerships.
• Strong organizational and operational management skills, with the ability to effectively oversee department operations, solve problems collaboratively, manage crises, and foster a culture of professionalism, teamwork, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Commitment to employee development and organizational success, including recruitment and retention, training, mentoring, leadership development, succession planning, wellness, and employee engagement.
• Strong labor-relations experience, including collective bargaining, contract administration, grievances, mediation, arbitration, and maintaining productive relationships within a unionized public-sector environment.

Administrative and Professional Management

• Strong fiscal and resource-management skills, including developing and overseeing a municipal police budget and effectively managing personnel, equipment, and other departmental resources.
• Sound knowledge of applicable law and employment requirements, including federal and Illinois laws affecting municipal law enforcement, personnel, policies, and operations.

Ultimately, Quincy is seeking a Chief who combines character with experience, vision with practicality, and decisiveness with humility.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply by 4 p.m. on September 18, 2026, by sending:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Contact information for five (5) professional references

Send all of the items listed above via email to kenny@ilchiefs.org, aj@ilchiefs.org, with a courtesy copy to christine@ilchiefs.org

Please include the following subject line:

Chief of Police Recruitment - Quincy PD

Questions regarding this opportunity should be directed to:

Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Director Kenny Winslow by emailing kenny@ilchiefs.org or calling 217-523-3765.

The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police is assisting with this search.

The City of Quincy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Full job brochure can be found here - https://ilacp.mcjobboard.net/jobs/233369