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Police Chief Openings Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Cathedral City, CA

POLICE CHIEF

Cathedral City, CA · On-site

$209K - $274K/yr

Police Department Opening Date: 05/11/2026 FLSA: Exempt Bargaining Unit: NON-REP Description ... The Police Chief manages 82.5 sworn and non-sworn personnel with a budget of over $21M (FY 26/27 ...

City of Cedar Hill, TX

Police Chief

Cedar Hill, TX · On-site

$200K/yr

Police Opening Date: 05/11/2026 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 ...

City of Lauderhill, FL

Police Chief

Lauderhill, FL · On-site

$137K - $223K/yr

Police Department Opening Date: 06/02/2026 Closing Date: 6/26/2026 11:59 PM Eastern General ... The Police Chief exercises final authority over departmental operations, personnel, fiscal ...

City of Cedar Hill

Police Chief

Cedar Hill, TX · On-site

$103K - $154K/yr

For additional information regarding the City of Cedar Hill and the position of Police Chief ... via open record requests), verification of education, criminal history background check, driving ...

City of Lakewood, WA

Assistant Police Chief

Lakewood, WA · On-site

$167K - $211K/yr

Police Department Opening Date: 11/03/2025 JOB SUMMARY ***Position to remain posted until filled ... The Assistant Police Chief will assist in the overall direction of the department's internal ...

ASM Global

Police Chief

Rockford, IL · On-site

$35/hr

Summary Legends Global, the leader in privately managed public assembly facilities, has an immediate opening for a Police Chief for the BMO Center, Coronado Theatre, and Davis Park. The Police Chief ...

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 ... open to learning new strategies as directed by an elected body. Be highly organized and able to ...

ASM Global

Police Chief

Rockford, IL

$35/hr

Summary Legends Global, the leader in privately managed public assembly facilities, has an immediate opening for a Police Chief for the BMO Center, Coronado Theatre, and Davis Park. The Police Chief ...

City of Valley NE

Police Chief

Valley, NE

$60K - $120K/yr

Police Chief Title:Police Chief Salary:$60,000- $120,000Annually, dependent on qualifications ... open to learning new strategies as directed by an elected body. Be highly organized and able to ...

City of Valley

Police Chief

Valley, NE · On-site

Police Chief Salary:$60,000- $120,000Annually, dependent on qualifications, payable bi-weekly,plus ... open to learning new strategies as directed by an elected body. Be highly organized and able to ...

AEG

Police Chief

Rockford, IL · On-site

$35/hr

Summary Legends Global, the leader in privately managed public assembly facilities, has an immediate opening for a Police Chief for the BMO Center, Coronado Theatre, and Davis Park. The Police Chief ...

City of Washington, NC

Police Chief

Washington, NC · On-site

$88K - $149K/yr

Police Opening Date: 05/05/2026 FLSA: Exempt Summary The Chief of Police is ultimately responsible for every facet in the operation of the Police Department and Law Enforcement action within their ...

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Police Chief Openings information

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$49K

$133.9K

$211K

How much do police chief openings jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for police chief openings in the United States is $133,872.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $100,500.00 and $165,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Police Chief Openings?

Police Chief openings refer to current job vacancies for the position of Police Chief, the highest-ranking official in a police department. Police Chiefs are responsible for overseeing all operations, managing personnel, ensuring public safety, and implementing law enforcement policies within their jurisdiction. These openings typically require extensive experience in law enforcement, leadership skills, and often a combination of education and specialized training. Candidates usually go through a rigorous selection process, including interviews, background checks, and sometimes community involvement. Openings may be found on government job boards, municipal websites, and law enforcement associations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Police Chief, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Police Chief, you need extensive law enforcement experience, a degree in criminal justice or a related field, and often advanced leadership training. Familiarity with crime data analysis software, incident reporting systems, and emergency management protocols is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, ethical judgment, and the ability to build community trust are crucial soft skills in this leadership role. These competencies ensure effective department management, foster public safety, and promote positive community relations.

What are the typical challenges a new Police Chief may face during their first year on the job?

New Police Chiefs often encounter challenges such as building trust within the department, navigating community expectations, and implementing strategic changes in established systems. They must quickly assess departmental culture, identify areas for improvement, and foster open communication with both staff and the public. Balancing administrative duties with public safety priorities while establishing credibility and effective leadership is essential for long-term success.

What is the difference between Police Chief Openings vs Police Captain?

AspectPolice ChiefPolice Captain
Required CredentialsPolice academy, leadership experience, possibly higher educationPolice academy, supervisory experience, law enforcement training
Work EnvironmentExecutive leadership, overseeing entire departmentMid-level management, supervising precincts or units
Employer & Industry UsageMunicipal or regional police departmentsPolice departments, law enforcement agencies
Common Search & ComparisonHigher leadership role, strategic planningOperational management, team supervision

The main difference between Police Chief and Police Captain lies in their level of responsibility and scope. Police Chiefs serve as the top executives, overseeing entire departments, while Police Captains manage specific divisions or precincts. Both roles require law enforcement experience and leadership skills, but Chiefs focus on strategic planning and policy, whereas Captains handle day-to-day operations.

What cities are hiring for Police Chief Openings jobs? Cities with the most Police Chief Openings job openings:
What states have the most Police Chief Openings jobs? States with the most job openings for Police Chief Openings jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Police Chief Openings jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Police Chief Openings jobs are:
Police Chief Openings jobs near you
Infographic showing various Police Chief Openings job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 92% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,872 per year, or $64.4 per hour.

Police Chief

Executive Director - GMP Consultants

Circle Pines, MN

$140K - $165K/yr

Other

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

My Account
Job Openings >> Police Chief
Police Chief
Summary
Title: Police Chief ID: 1246 Organization: Centennial Lakes Police Department Location: Circle Pines, MN First Review : 05/17/2026
More about this job >
Description

POLICE CHIEF
Centennial Lakes Police Department - Circle Pines, MN
First Review: May 17, 2026    
Salary Range: $140,000-$165,000 annually DOQ
View the Position Profile
Job Description
#    #    #


The Centennial Lakes Police Department is seeking a Police Chief to lead this joint-jurisdictional law enforcement agency serving the cities of Centerville, Circle Pines, and Lexington in Anoka County, Minnesota. These communities offer small-town charm, natural beauty, and convenient access to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area. 
THE CENTENNIAL LAKES POLICE DEPARTMENT
Operating from their Circle Pines police station, the Centennial Lakes Police Department serves just over 12,000 residents across approximately five square miles with a 2026 budget of $3.38 million. In 2025, the Department responded to 9,212 calls for service. Staffing includes 17 fulltime and one parttime sworn officers, two fulltime and one parttime civilian clerical/records technicians, and three parttime civilian community service officers.    
The Department is overseen by a six-member Governing Board comprised of the mayor and a council member from each city. The Board meets quarterly and additionally as needed, with the City of Circle Pines acting as fiscal agent. An Operations Committee is responsible for administration and operations and consists of the Police Chief and the three city administrators. 
WHY APPLY 

The Centennial Lakes Police Department (CLPD) is an outstanding opportunity for its next Police Chief to lead a high-performing, professional, and progressive police department into the future. The new Chief will lead a department that is exceptionally well trained and well equipped, in an area with easy access to big city amenities while retaining the small-town charm of three smaller communities. This low-crime region offers vibrant neighborhoods, excellent schools, parks, trails, lakes, and other regional amenities that contribute to an outstanding quality of life. CLPD enjoys strong support from the communities it serves and is grounded in a culture of public safety and professionalism. The new Chief will have the opportunity to lead a relatively young workforce in this close-knit department, where the motto is "Serving with Courage and Compassion." 
 

For questions on this position, please contact:
Jeff Weldon
GMP Consultants
jweldon@gmphr.com
(320) 557-8006
Apply Now
 
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