Police Chief

Job Description

THE POSITION

VIEW THE FULL RECRUITMENT BROCHURE HERE

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

IDEAL CANDIDATE:

The Police Chief will be a visionary leader who conveys strong leadership with an effective command presence, as well as outstanding people and management skills. The ideal candidate will be an inspirational leader, excellent public speaker, responsive to the community, and quick to think on their feet in public meetings. The Police Chief will also quickly earn the trust of the community and the respect of both sworn and professional staff.

The ideal candidate will be a compassionate, respectful, honest, and ethical leader who demonstrates the highest levels of integrity and accountability. The Police Chief will value and embrace the rich diversity of Sacramento and its unique neighborhoods, building strong, authentic relationships throughout the community. The successful candidate will also have experience working collaboratively and constructively with an office of accountability and/or independent oversight, demonstrating a commitment to transparency, meaningful engagement, and effective partnerships that strengthen public trust and organizational accountability.

The Police Chief will set clear goals for the department and develop a comprehensive plan that emphasizes trust-building, accountability, and transparency. The ideal candidate will also have a proven track record of implementing accountability and transparency policies. The Police Chief will be forward thinking, focused on modern policing, and driven to implement best policing practices that are appropriate in today’s world. The Police Chief will address issues related to youth, homelessness, mental health, and underserved segments of the community. A collaborative style and an eagerness to partner with community-based organizations and regional agencies is essential.

Top contenders for this position will be non-political and have the conviction and courage to proactively address challenges and make the tough decisions, while also standing up for what is in the best interest of the City and the community. The selected candidate will be expected to quickly identify, address, and implement changes while working in conjunction with City Leadership, community and regional stakeholders, labor unions, and other employee organizations.

The candidate selected for Police Chief will be a transparent and accessible leader who values open, honest, and timely communication with both internal and external stakeholders. They will model a philosophy of openness and accountability and foster these same expectations throughout the command staff and organization. The successful candidate will cultivate an inclusive organizational culture where diverse perspectives are valued, and equity and inclusion are reflected in leadership, decision-making, employee engagement, and service to the community.

Under the City Manager, the Police Chief serves as the principal administrative officer for the Police Department; plans, directs, reviews, and manages Police Department activities and operations encompassing a wide range of law enforcement-related functions; assures Police Department compliance with and enforcement of applicable federal, State, and local laws, ordinances, and codes; manages and supervises staff; serves as a member of the City’s Executive Team.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a single-position executive management classification. The Police Chief’s duties are administrative and managerial in nature, and the incumbent performs work that is very complex, with broad authority for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Police Department as well as responsibility for the Police Department’s strategic planning and goal setting. The incumbent has extensive contact with public officials, federal, State, and local agencies, other public/private organizations, and the public, and is responsible for developing, proposing, and implementing programs designed to provide quality police services, crime-solving and prevention strategies, and maintain excellent customer service within the Police Department’s jurisdiction. Police Chief is distinguished from the next lower classification of Deputy Police Chief in that the Police Chief is responsible for the overall administration and management of the Police Department.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Executive direction is provided by the City Manager. The incumbent has broad supervisory authority over a large and diverse group of management, supervisory, professional, technical, and support positions whose incumbents perform the full range of police service-related activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, organizes, manages, leads, and directs the overall operations of the Police Department including, but not limited to, those services related to community-oriented policing, patrol, traffic, police dispatch and communications, courtroom testimony and coordination, specialized services, investigations, crime prevention, research and training, public information, and related administrative and technical services.
• Selects, assigns, trains, directs, and evaluates subordinate staff, including management, supervisory, professional, technical, and support positions; assures training and guidance for staff involved in various aspects of police service; oversees and implements disciplinary actions when necessary.
• Develops, plans, and implements Police Department goals and objectives in accordance with the core purpose, mission, vision, and values of the organization; develops, recommends, and administers policies and procedures; establishes priorities; monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of Police Department work products through quality control and related activities.
• Supports the development and implementation of an organizational philosophy that emphasizes community-based policing, in which collaborative problem solving with citizens and other stakeholders is valued.
• Administers, directs, and participates in development of the Police Department budget; analyzes budget data to identify and project resource needs; obtains needed resources; develops strategies to increase Police Department funding; develops and monitors grant-funded programs; monitors and approves budget expenditures.
• Reviews legislation and assures Police Department compliance with appropriate law enforcement-related laws, regulations, statutes, and codes.
• Participates as a member of the City’s Executive Team; provides assistance to the City Manager and the City Council on police service-related matters.
• Coordinates assigned activities with City officials, other City departments, and outside agencies; maintains effective working relationships with City staff, federal, State, and local agencies, the public, and others; seeks to achieve positive public relations in all Police Department activities; participates on committees and boards and in community activities as assigned; attends meetings, conferences, and workshops as assigned; may testify in court and/or before legislative bodies.
• Maintains contact with members of the community and local businesses; oversees the performance of assigned personnel to ensure the Police Department’s goal of maintaining direct and effective contact with community stakeholders.
• Coordinates with the Office of Emergency Services to ensure collaboration and joint efforts in planning and community preparedness efforts.
• Constantly strives to improve Police Department operations through training and professional development opportunities for employees and promotes inclusiveness and values diversity throughout the organization.
• Constantly strives to strengthen Police Department relationships within the community and encourages positive relationships with the public; possesses a high degree of awareness of, and sensitivity to the cultural diversity of the community.
• Prepares complex statistical and narrative reports, correspondence, and other documents.
• May participate in difficult investigations and/or crime scenes as necessary to help manage and/or oversee operations.
• May perform special projects.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of modern public administration, including planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and managing Police Department activities and operations.
• Principles and practices of human resources management, supervision, and training.
• Public relations practices and techniques.
• Current principles, practices, methods, and techniques of policing and law enforcement, including administrative, operational, and investigative services; maintenance and use of modern law enforcement weapons and safety equipment.
• Current literature, laws, regulations, and policing philosophies, as well as the various agencies and professional organizations that impact police-related services.
• Research methods; report writing techniques; statistical concepts and methods; principles and techniques of project management.

Skill in:

• Use of modern office equipment, including computers, computer applications, and software.
• Use of modern communication devices, including radios and cell phones.
• Use of law enforcement weapons and other equipment.

Ability to:

• Lead, administer, and oversee a large city Police Department; make decisions under pressure.
• Supervise subordinate personnel, including managers, supervisors, and sworn and professional staff.
• Develop and implement police service-related strategic plans, policies, and procedures.
• Develop, administer, and control large budgets.
• Read and interpret complex laws and regulations regarding police-related services.
• Establish effective working relationships with public officials, public/private agencies, and the public on a variety of issues.
• Prepare complex narrative and statistical reports, correspondence, and other documents.
• Participate in or direct difficult investigations/crime scene activities if required.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Experience:

Eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional law enforcement experience with a municipal agency, including substantial command-level leadership experience of which, must have included at least two (2) years in an executive or senior management capacity with responsibility for significant organizational functions, operations, personnel, and/or programs.

Education:

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. A master’s degree is preferred but not required.

Special Training:

Completion of one or more approved police management training courses is preferred but not required. Approved examples include those offered by California Command College, FBI National Academy, POST Executive Development, Senior Management Institute for Police, and/or PERF Executive Leadership Institute.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Driver License:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Certification:

Must obtain appropriate POST Certificate within POST designated timeframes.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Respiratory Protective Equipment: Work in this class may require wearing respiratory protective equipment. When assigned to such work, facial hair must be shaven, when it interferes with the safe fitting of respiratory protective equipment.

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE

Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply no later than November 9, 2026 to Ralph Andersen & Associates by sending a compelling cover letter and comprehensive resume to apply@ralphandersen.com .

Only the most highly qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the confidential selection process anticipated in early December.

Timing for a final decision and selection is anticipated during late December to early January. An offer, contingent on successfully completing processes required by California POST, will follow. A public announcement and media release of the final selection will be made when appropriate. The new Police Chief will join the City of Sacramento upon a mutually agreed upon date.

Please note that all recruitment dates are tentative and subject to change based on panel member availability and scheduling needs; candidates are encouraged to remain flexible throughout the interview process.

Confidential inquiries and questions regarding this career opportunity should be directed to Sabrina Landreth at sabrina@ralphandersen.com or to Chief Daniel Hahn (ret.) at daniel@ralphandersen.com , or call (916) 630-4900.

Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information

Civil Service Rules: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/CivilServiceBoardRules62012.pdf

Union Contracts: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/labor-agreements.html

Salary Schedule: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/SalarySchedule.pdf

Closing Date/Time: Continuous