Chief of Police - City of Spartanburg, SC

About the role

The City of Spartanburg, South Carolina, is seeking a strategic, community-oriented, and forward-thinking executive to serve as its next Chief of Police during a transformative period for the city and department.

The ideal candidate is a confident advocate who successfully communicates and champions for their employees and department, effectively enforces accountability and upholds professionalism. In their next Chief, City leaders desire a credible law enforcement professional who has demonstrated successful experience with and the desire to strengthen partnerships with City Council, community leaders, and regional agencies.

The next Chief will inherit a department with many strengths, including a dedicated workforce, strong community support, supportive City leadership, and a positive reputation. Spartanburg’s Chief will have the opportunity to make a big difference – guiding strategic improvements in structure, leadership development, and technology.

Responsibilities

• Provides visible, engaged, and accessible leadership both within the department and throughout the community.
• Strengthens recruitment and retention efforts while improving morale, accountability, and employee wellness.
• Buils trust through clear communication, collaboration, and strong relationships with employees, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
• Communicates and champions for the department and employees, effectively enforces accountability and upholds professionalism.
• Strengthen partnerships with City Council, community leaders, and regional agencies.
• Guides strategic improvements in structure, leadership development, and technology.
• Adapts to help the department and city navigate increased pressure from rapid population growth, increasing service demands, staffing shortages, and community public safety challenges such as youth violence, homelessness, and mental health-related calls.
• Balances strategic planning to address complex public safety challenges while prioritizing and maintaining strong community relationships and public trust.

Requirements

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, or another relevant field, and 10 years of progressive law enforcement experience across functional areas such as patrol, internal affairs, administration, investigations, etc., to include six to seven years of professional management or related experience in police administration, including three to four years of related administrative supervisory experience.
• Must possess current advanced SC LE certification or be eligible to acquire.
• A master’s degree and executive law enforcement training are preferred.
• Must have a valid SC driver’s license or the ability to obtain a valid SC driver’s license within 60 days of relocating to SC.

Qualifications

• Highly skilled in balancing strategic planning to address complex public safety challenges while prioritizing and maintaining strong community relationships and public trust.
• Confident advocate who successfully communicates and champions for their employees and department, effectively enforces accountability and upholds professionalism.
• Strategic thinker with a proven track record of success in law enforcement and leadership roles.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain effective relationships with employees, elected officials, and community stakeholders.
• Experience in managing and leading a diverse team of law enforcement professionals.
• Knowledgeable in community policing strategies and techniques.
• Ability to communicate effectively and engage with the community, including City Council, community leaders, and regional agencies.
• Experience in developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure the department’s compliance with legal and ethical standards.
• Experience in managing budgets and overseeing financial resources.
• Experience in managing personnel issues, including recruitment, retention, and performance management.
• Experience in managing technology and operational resources to improve efficiency, officer safety, and long-term departmental effectiveness.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Leadership and management skills.
• Community engagement and outreach skills.
• Technology and operational resource management skills.

Benefits

The City of Spartanburg provides a robust benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, short-term disability, life insurance, and access to a free onsite health clinic.

Pay

The salary range for the position is $115,481.60 (min) - $141,564.80 (mid) - $167,648.00(max). Starting salary is dependent on qualifications and experience.

Schedule

The City of Spartanburg operates under the Council-Manager form of government and is governed by a mayor and a six-member City Council representing districts throughout the city.

Contact Information

To apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/developmentalassociates and click on the Chief of Police – City of Spartanburg, SC title. All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal (link above) – NOT the city’s employment application portal or any other external website.

Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should they be invited to participate. Direct inquiries to hiring@developmentalassociates.com

The City of Spartanburg, SC, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Developmental Associates, LLC, manages the recruitment and selection process for this position.