Police Chief-City of Seattle (WA)

About the Role

A national recruitment is underway to attract accomplished, forward‑thinking, community‑centered leaders to serve as the next Chief of Police for the Seattle Police Department (SPD). The City of Seattle seeks an experienced law‑enforcement executive with a demonstrated record of effective organizational leadership, successful change management, responsible stewardship of public resources, productive labor‑management relations, and a clear commitment to building community partnerships that ensure every neighborhood feels safe and supported.

Responsibilities

• Advance Seattle’s public safety vision.
• Establish department goals.
• Oversee staffing strategy and budget administration.
• Direct policy development.
• Strengthen community relationships.
• Ensure organizational alignment in values, operations, and service delivery across the chain of command.
• Address Seattle’s most pressing public safety challenges with innovative, equitable, evidence‑driven strategies that improve quality of life citywide.
• Work closely with elected officials, intergovernmental partners, neighborhood organizations, advocacy groups, businesses, and residents to provide expert counsel on policing issues and maintain trust across diverse communities.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated record of effective organizational leadership.
• Successful change‑management experience.
• Responsible stewardship of public resources.
• Productive labor‑management relations.
• Clear commitment to building community partnerships that ensure neighborhoods feel safe and supported.
• Experience leading a large municipal law‑enforcement agency (approximately 1,200 sworn officers and more than 600 civilian staff).

Compensation

• Annual salary range: $234,294 to $374,900, dependent on qualifications and experience.
• Budget and compensation are assessed annually.
• Relocation authorized for this position.
• The City of Seattle offers an excellent benefits package.