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.

1-10 of 10 Jobs

Police Chief - City of Gilroy, CA

  • Gilroy, CA
  • 5 days ago
  • Gilroy, CA
  • 5 days ago

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

Chief of Police

  • Arcata, CA
  • 6 days ago
  • Arcata, CA
  • 6 days ago

July 21st at : The City of Arcata is seeking a Chief of Police with a proven passion for community policing, patrol enforcement and alternative response who earns the trust and support of the community...

Police Chief

  • Arcata, CA
  • 7 days ago
  • Arcata, CA
  • 7 days ago

Police Chief City of Arcata, CA The City of Arcata is a charming and vibrant community located on the northern coast of California, in Humboldt County, with a population of approximately 19,000....

Assistant Chief of Police

  • Los Altos Hills, CA
  • 17 days ago
  • Los Altos Hills, CA
  • 17 days ago

Two years of increasingly responsible experience in law enforcement, including one year in a supervisor position. Preferred Qualifications: Experience in Community Policing and Budget controls....

Assistant Chief of Police

  • Porterville, CA
  • 27 days ago
  • Porterville, CA
  • 27 days ago

administration; patrol methods, criminal investigation and identification techniques; physical administrative procedures and techniques; current civil and criminal laws; personnel administration and...

Executive Assistant to the Chief of Police

  • San Jose, CA
  • 30+ days ago
  • San Jose, CA
  • 30+ days ago

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

Executive Assistant to the Chief of Police San Jose State University

  • San Jose, CA
  • 30+ days ago
  • San Jose, CA
  • 30+ days ago

Reporting directly to the Chief of Police, the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Police works independently performing a wide variety of specialized administrative and analytical duties and/or...

Executive Assistant to the Chief of Police

  • CA
  • 30+ days ago
  • CA
  • 30+ 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...

Executive Assistant to the Chief of Police

  • San Jose, CA
  • 30+ days ago
  • San Jose, CA
  • 30+ days ago

Reporting directly to the Chief of Police, the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Police works independently performing a wide variety of specialized administrative and analytical duties and/or...

Assistant Manager, Chief of Police

  • San Jose, CA
  • 45+ days ago
  • San Jose, CA
  • 45+ days ago

enforcement services and police personnel needs to proactively maintain a safe learning environment throughout the district....

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.
How to Become a Police Officer in England and Wales
Currently, policing is unrepresentative of the society it represents. To correct that, its vital that underrepresented and disadvantaged groups can learn about policing and consider their options...
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...
Introduction to Policing
Introduction to Policing online course with Griffith University, through Open Universities Australia. Study Legal, Justice and Security online.

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
33.4%
Bachelor's Degree
33.2%
Associate's Degree
9.7%
Vocational Degree or Certification
7.4%
High School or GED
7.3%
Doctorate Degree
6.6%
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%


Other Career Titles

Here are some other career titles that require similar skills



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