Becoming a police chief is a long, challenging process that requires dedication and hard work. Following are some tips on how to become a police chief:
- Join the police force.
- Be willing to work long hours.
- Become familiar with local laws and ordinances.
- Get involved in community activities by attending town or city council meetings, participating in neighborhood watch programs, or joining local civic organizations (such as Rotary).
How To Become Police Chief
What Does a Police Chief Do?
A police chief oversees the police department they serve. As a police chief, your responsibilities and duties include testing, training, and evaluating officers, assigning promotions, delegating casework, and conducting administrative duties. You also assess the overall success of your department in keeping the community safe and make necessary changes to maximize efficiency. You function as a tactical leader, people manager, and public liaison for the department. You must have several years experience in the field conducting patrols and investigations to gain the skills needed for this role.
How to Become a Police Chief
City officials usually appoint police chiefs; some police department heads, such as Sheriffs or Police Commissioners, are elected by voters. To be eligible for the position, you must first be a police officer with an impressive record of achievement and promotions in your department. Some police chief positions only require candidates to have significant experience in law enforcement, but most jobs require a bachelor’s or associate degree in criminal justice. Many agencies prefer to hire police chiefs who have a master’s degree in criminal justice. Degree programs offer the basics of criminal investigation, the justice system, and administrative duties, to gain the skills and qualifications you need to fulfill your responsibilities in this career.
Should I Become a Police Chief?
Police chiefs work in law enforcement and are responsible for managing officers, preparing reports, and informing personnel of investigations and regulations. Other essential duties include training and evaluating officers and other personnel, coordinating efforts with other law enforcement agencies or court representatives, and testifying in court proceedings. Working in the law enforcement field can be mentally and physically stressful, and police chiefs may encounter dangerous or life-threatening situations.
Career Requirements
| Degree Level | Varies from a high school diploma to a college degree; many agencies prefer to hire candidates with bachelor’s or master’s degrees |
| Degree Fields | Criminal justice and law enforcement are common fields; degrees in business, public administration, sociology, anthropology, psychology, or communications may be acceptable |
| Experience | Several years of experience as an officer are required |
| Licensure and Certification | Certification required |
| Key Skills | Multi-tasking; communication; stress management; physical fitness; leadership; familiarity with relevant software and computer programs; proficiency in handling handcuffs, firearms, and two-way radios |
| Salary | $92,970 (2020 median for all registered first-line supervisors of police and detectives) |
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, International Association of Chiefs of Police, O*Net OnLine
Steps to Becoming a Police Chief
Step 1: Earn an Associate’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree
Although not always required, approximately 19% of current police chiefs have an associate’s degree. Prospective candidates might consider a degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, or a related field. Typical coursework in a criminal justice program includes criminology, corrections, criminal law, and forensics. Students may also need to take classes in writing, sociology, and psychology.
Success Tips:
Study a foreign language. Proficiency in a foreign language is often an asset when seeking employment, especially in urban areas.
Complete fieldwork or an internship. Some schools require that students complete internships or various coursework in the field. Experiencing hands-on work is also helpful for students in deciding the types of environments in which they would like to work.
Follow a physical fitness program. Physical fitness tests are an important component in the application process for police officers. Adhering to a fitness program will not only prepare students for these tests, but also for a future career that can be physically taxing.
Step 2: Enter the Workforce
Aspiring police chiefs typically enter the workforce as police officers in law enforcement agencies. While each agency is different, most require officers to be at least 21 years of age and to pass psychological and physical fitness tests and written examinations. Additional requirements may include medical examinations and demonstration of sound character; most agencies require candidates with clean background checks.
Step 3: Participate in On-the-Job Training
Officers must receive training, often in the form of a certification program, after they have been accepted by an agency. This may involve training at a police or regional academy. The curriculum covers various areas of police work, such as understanding laws and rights, conducting investigations, and utilizing related technology. Officers may also work with supervisors concerning training with firearms, patrolling, and first-aid.
Step 4: Gain Work Experience and Advance
Aspiring police chiefs are required to have extensive work experience in investigations, patrols, and administration. They must have a proven track record of leadership skills and competence in their work. Promotions through an agency are determined through examinations, aptitude assessments, and time spent with the agency.
Success Tip:
Pursue various work experiences. Hiring authorities at agencies seek to employ police chiefs with a diverse set of experiences and skills. Aspiring chiefs should be competent in several operational areas, including records and community affairs. Working collaboratively with other agencies can help develop these skills, as well as showcase varied experiences.
Step 5: Consider a Master’s Degree Program
The IACP indicates that a master’s degree gives an aspiring police chief an advantage in the competitive job market. Master’s degree programs in criminal justice are offered at many schools and allow students to build on the knowledge gained in undergraduate programs. Graduate students may take courses in victimology, research methods, and terrorism and may be required to complete a master’s thesis.
Police chiefs should earn a degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, or a related field, then enter the workforce as an officer, complete on-the-job training, gain experience, advance, and consider earning a master’s degree.
Who Does the Police Chief Report to?
The police chief is at the top of the leadership hierarchy in a police department. All of the officers, detectives, sergeants, lieutenants, commanders, and the deputy chief report to the police chief. Within the department, the chief of police does not report to anyone; however, the chief is ultimately responsible for the department and must report to the mayor and city officials.
Are Police Chiefs Elected or Appointed?
The chief of a city police department is usually appointed by the mayor, another city official, or group of city officials. They are selected from a pool of candidates within the city’s police department or an outside police department. Large metropolitan areas have elected Police Commissioners. Some townships and counties have Sheriff’s Departments. The sheriff is the top officer and is also chosen by the public through elections. To gain these positions, police commissioner and sheriff candidates campaign throughout the election season and make a case to voters as to why you are the best person for the job.
How Do You Address the Chief of Police?
The proper way to address the chief of police depends on the situation in which you are addressing them. When speaking to them or about them, use their designated military rank if they are police chiefs, such as Colonel, Major, or Captain, or just Chief before their last name. Police commissioners do not have military rank, so they are addressed as Mr. or Ms. Their last name follows their rank. For example, you may call them “Major Smith, “Chief Smith,” or for police commissioners, Ms. Smith. Informal addresses include sir/ma’am. The formality of the situation should match the formality of the address chosen, but even when casual, you do not use their first name. In written correspondence, use their full name with the rank, then their title (e.g., Major Judith Smith, Jonesville Chief of Police).
