A national search is underway to find a visionary leader for public safety in Overland Park, Kansas. Located in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Overland Park is the largest city in Johnson County and the second largest in Kansas, with a population of 200,000 and a daytime population of nearly 235,000. It is a dynamic corporate center with over $4 billion in annual retail sales and continuous growth in various sectors. The next chief of police will be a strategic, engaging, and experienced executive with advanced leadership skills. The next chief will build on existing relationships, create meaningful partnerships, enhance public safety, improve community relations, and optimize departmental operations. Overland Park offers a high quality of life with excellent restaurants, cultural amenities, parks, trails, golf courses, medical facilities, schools, and housing options. It has consistently been recognized as an outstanding place to live, raise a family, and retire. The city manager appoints all department directors, including the chief of police. The city engages actively with the community through Council-appointed boards and commissions. The Overland Park Police Department is CALEA-accredited, with staff working out of five stations across a 75-square-mile area, responding to approximately 60,000 calls annually. The department has a 2023-2024 budget of $52.5 million, 281 sworn officers, and 93 civilian employees. The ideal candidate will have exceptional communication skills, a commitment to transparency, and the ability to build trust within the department and community. The chief will drive innovation in recruiting, retention, alternative policing methods, operations evaluation, and leadership development. Ensuring departmental policies align with national best practices is crucial. The successful candidate will be personable, open to feedback, and dedicated to creating safety and security for residents.
Qualifications include:
Bachelor’s degree in public administration, personnel management, criminal justice, law enforcement, social science, or related field. Advanced degree preferred. Fifteen years of public safety experience, including ten years of administrative and supervisory experience. Command-level experience in a comparably sized agency is required. Eligibility for Kansas State certification as a police officer is also required.
The position offers a competitive salary range of $105,000 to $255,000, based on qualifications, along with an excellent benefits package and relocation assistance (per city policy).
To apply, email a cover letter, resume, and five references to apply@publicsectorsearch.com by July 19, 2024. Candidates are encouraged to apply early. References will not be contacted until mutual interest is established. Only the most highly qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the selection process in late July or early August. Confidential inquiries and nominations are welcomed and should be directed to:
Public Sector Search & Consulting, Inc.
Mr. Gary Peterson, President/CEO (Chief of Police, ret.)
Office: (916) 789-9990
Mobile: (916) 622-5323
Email: gary@publicsectorsearch.com
Website: www.publicsectorsearch.com
