Police Chief Jobs in California

A Police Chief, also known as a Chief of Police, is a vital role in the law enforcement industry. They oversee and manage all operations within a police department. This includes working on budgets, setting department policy, hiring and training officers, and ensuring the department is achieving its goals in public safety. The Police Chief also serves as the primary liaison between the police department and other city departments, as well as the community, addressing their concerns and providing updates on relevant matters. They must demonstrate strong leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, as well as excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Before becoming a Police Chief, a person may serve in roles such as a Patrol Officer, Detective, or Sergeant. These roles allow them to gain invaluable experience in the field and understand the inner workings of a police department. The path to becoming a Police Chief typically requires a Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public administration, or a related field. However, certain jurisdictions may require advanced degrees or additional certifications. It is also imperative for Police Chiefs to have a certification in Law Enforcement Executive Development (LEEDS) or have undergone the FBI National Academy program. The Police Chief should also possess a strong understanding of law enforcement principles and practices, public administration, and current social issues affecting law enforcement.

1-13 of 13 Jobs

Director Public Safety

  • Fresno, CA
  • 16 hours ago
  • Fresno, CA
  • 16 hours ago

Employment Type: Full time Shift: Description: The Director Public Safety is responsible for the security, safety, and emergency management of Saint Agnes Medical Center (SAMC) and all off-site...

Director, Public Safety

  • Buena Park, CA
  • 18 hours ago
  • Buena Park, CA
  • 18 hours ago

Or Other: Driver's License Law Enforcement Academy OPOT...

Director of Public Safety Communications

  • Madera, CA
  • 13 days ago
  • Madera, CA
  • 13 days ago

investigations, juvenile records, victim privacy, officer-involved shootings, and tactical operations Manages daily media inquiries, Public Records Act (PRA) requests, policy-transparency portals,...

Chief of Police

  • Stockton, CA
  • 21 days ago
  • Stockton, CA
  • 21 days ago

$176,880 - $234,240 Annually / $14,740 - $19,520 Monthly DOE Excellent Benefits, Non-PERS Retirement Are you a skilled law enforcement professional seeking a dynamic career as Chief of Police working...

Director of Public Safety

  • Palmdale, CA
  • 27 days ago
  • Palmdale, CA
  • 27 days ago

If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please apply online with Bob Murray & Associates Filing Deadline: September 7, 2025 EXPERIENCE & TRAINING / LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATE If you...

Chief of Police

  • Folsom, CA
  • 27 days ago
  • Folsom, CA
  • 27 days ago

The Chief of Police plans, organizes, directs, and reviews all functions and activities of the Police Department including law enforcement investigation, protection of life and property, crime prevention...

Chief of Police (Safety and Police) District

  • Riverside, CA
  • 27 days ago
  • Riverside, CA
  • 27 days ago

Serves as the District's community policing advocate and coordinates police activity with other law enforcement agencies; participates on state, regional and local law enforcement committees and panels...

Serves as the District's community policing advocate and coordinates police activity with other law enforcement agencies; participates on state, regional and local law enforcement committees and panels...

Executive Assistant to the Chief of Police

  • Fresno, CA
  • 30+ days ago
  • Fresno, CA
  • 30+ days ago

Between $4,400.00 and $4,700.00 Per Month Executive Assistant to the Chief of Police California State University Fresno Occupation: Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants...

Deputy Police Chief - Desert Hot Springs, CA

  • Desert Hot Springs, CA
  • 30+ days ago
  • Desert Hot Springs, CA
  • 30+ days ago

The new Deputy Chief must have experience in most facets of law enforcement, including community policing, internal affairs, investigations, grievances, law enforcement technology, the supervision of...

Police Chief

  • Torrance, CA
  • 45+ days ago
  • Torrance, CA
  • 45+ days ago

The Position The Police Chief position is well suited for a visionary and innovative leader who is grounded in a community policing philosophy....

Police Chief - City of Gilroy, CA

  • Gilroy, CA
  • 60+ days ago
  • Gilroy, CA
  • 60+ days ago

The City of Gilroy is seeking an experienced law enforcement professional to lead its well-regarded Police Department....

Executive Assistant to the Chief of Police

  • CA
  • 90+ days ago
  • CA
  • 90+ days ago

enforcement or campus issues as needed Interact with Federal, State, and Local law enforcement agencies at Chiefs discretion Handle CSU Chiefs communications (manage Chiefs inbox which has access to...

Demographic Data for California

Moving to California? Find some basic demographic data about California below.


Local
National
39,536,271
996,598

Police Chief Online Courses and Training Opportunities

iHireLawEnforcement curates thousands of courses in order to recommend the best ones to help further your career. If you register for a course using the links on our site, we may receive a small commission.
Police Exam
In the United States, there is no one standardized police test - several different types are used by police departments nationwide. These different police officer exams usually have some...
MTA Police Exam
The MTA police exam, also known as the MTAPD exam, is a challenging assessment of the cognitive abilities, personality traits, and work related attributes of future police officers. The key to...
NPOST Police Test
Are you required to take the National Police Officer Selection Test (NPOST)? The NPOST includes 4 sections testing your math, reading, grammar and police report writing skills- all critical for...

Title Synonyms

Users interested in this job title also searched for the following job titles


Salary for Police Chief Jobs in California

Estimated salary range based on data from US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and iHireLawEnforcement research efforts.

Licensing / Certification

Required or preferred licenses and certifications for Police Chief positions.



Highest Education Level

Police Chiefs in California offer the following education background
Master's Degree
33.6%
Bachelor's Degree
33.1%
Associate's Degree
9.7%
Vocational Degree or Certification
7.5%
High School or GED
7.3%
Doctorate Degree
6.5%
Some College
2.1%
Some High School
0.3%

Average Work Experience
Here's a breakdown of the number of years' experience offered by Police Chiefs in California
None
36.7%
4-6 years
12.9%
2-4 years
11.1%
10+ years
9.7%
8-10 years
9.0%
1-2 years
8.8%
6-8 years
6.9%
Less than 1 year
4.9%


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Here are some other career titles that require similar skills



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