Chattanooga Police Department Chattanooga, Tennessee Chief of Police
The City of Chattanooga is seeking a proven leader who can inspire the confidence of the community and police officers as our Police Chief. The ideal candidate will be innovative and compassionate, and committed to using community-focused, data-informed, and victim-centered policing strategies to guide the application of the principles of community policing to reduce crime and deliver excellent police services to all the residents of Chattanooga. Located in Southeast Tennessee at the Georgia border, our city of 180,000 (within a larger metropolitan area of roughly 500,000) has received national recognition for the renaissance of its downtown and redevelopment of its riverfront. Notable for its scenic beauty, growing economy, civic vitality, cross-sector partnerships and fiscal integrity, Chattanooga is blessed with a low cost of living and a high quality of life, making it one of the most admired mid-size cities in the United States. In the last decade, Chattanooga has won 3 national awards for outstanding livability, and 9 Gunther Blue Ribbon Awards for excellence in housing and consolidated planning. Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly (inaugurated on 4/19/21) has made public safety a top priority, has increased funding to the police department, and stands ready to support new departmental leadership. Our two most recent Chiefs voluntarily retired under positive circumstances and stand ready to advocate for the position and for our community. The Chattanooga Police Department has 475 sworn and 115 professional staff members and a budget of $71 million. In September 2021, the Chattanooga City Council approved a budget for fiscal year 2021-2022, which included a 24% increase in pay for all police officers. The Chief of Police, who reports directly to the Mayor, must possess:
The position requires a four-year college degree. Progressively responsible command-level experience in policing in an urban community and knowledge of best practices in policing are prerequisites. A graduate-level degree would be an asset, but a demonstrated commitment to lifelong learning and genuine curiosity around innovating in the field of policing are most important. Specialized leadership education, such as the Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), FBI National Academy, or the Southern Police Institute, are also a plus. Salary Range: $145,000 to $170,000 per year, plus a very competitive fringe benefits package. Interested and qualified candidates should apply by December 13, 2021 with cover letter, resumé and a list of five references in confidence to: The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) is assisting the city in the selection process. Please contact Rebecca Neuburger at (202)997-6287 or [email protected] with questions. Chattanooga is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. |