The City of Seattle seeks a collaborative, forward-thinking Police Chief dedicated to public service – a leader with an unrelenting commitment to ensuring that everyone in every neighborhood of Seattle is safe and feels safe.

“We have a world-class police department, and we need a leader of the same standard to move us forward. Seattle’s next police chief must be obsessed with safety and take responsibility for addressing urgent challenges and shaping the long-term vision for the department. I am looking for an innovative leader who shares my commitment to constitutional policing and my dedication to keeping neighborhoods safe, driving culture change, implementing proven technologies to boost effectiveness, and bringing a holistic approach to public safety. Together, we need to build public trust as we advance meaningful, effective solutions to crime and disorder, staffing and recruiting, gun violence, and the synthetic opioid crisis. This is an extraordinary opportunity to help define the future of Seattle’s police service as we create a welcoming and safe city for all. I encourage you to apply.”    –Mayor Bruce Harrell

The Seattle Police Chief is responsible for managing police services for maximum effectiveness and efficiency, creating an organizational culture of trust and commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, and winning the trust and confidence of the people of Seattle. In alignment with Mayor Harrell’s vision of One Seattle, the Seattle Police Chief leads the development of Police Department (SPD) goals, policies, and objectives and directs the delivery of police services. The chief supervises the Department’s command staff and provides administrative direction and oversight for comprehensive police services, security, and law enforcement programs. The chief also provides expert counsel on issues related to policing and creates cooperative working relationships with the Mayor and members of the City Council, intergovernmental partners, advocacy groups, and community members. Reporting to the mayor, this cabinet-level position leads the largest municipal law enforcement agency in Washington State, with 1,200 authorized sworn officers and over 600 civilian employees.

The Seattle Police Chief is accountable for achieving the following outcomes:

• Reduce gun violence and other violent crimes with evidence-based solutions and enforcement strategies and prioritize problem-solving in partnership with the people of Seattle.
• Respond to 9-1-1 calls effectively and appropriately by hiring more officers and diversifying response options, including non-sworn employees, to events that do not require police.
• Recognize the root causes and impacts of violence and embrace a holistic, multidisciplinary response to crime and disorder in partnership with community-based solutions and upstream interventions. Prioritize a public health and trauma-informed approach to reduce drug overdoses, reduce violence, and better support victims and survivors.
• Eliminate inefficiencies in the delivery of police services and improve crime clearance rates. Build and maintain community trust through strong accountability systems and community engagement on policing priorities.

Requirements

Successful candidates will be visionary leaders with an unwavering commitment to safety for all and a thorough understanding of constitutional policing in a major metropolitan area. As the next chief, they will build upon Seattle’s completed and ongoing reforms, demonstrating their ability to effect positive change and drive culture. Equity centers their decision-making process; they actively listen and are committed to justice for everyone. They are known as a trusted partner who acts with transparency and compassion. Active engagement and partnerships with the people of Seattle inform their leadership. They inspire trust, value people, are driven by public service, and their actions consistently reflect integrity, accountability, and collaboration. The Seattle Police Chief position requires certification, or ability to obtain certification, as a police officer as required by the WSCJTC.    

Confidential inquiries should be directed to Public Sector Search & Consulting, Inc., Gary Peterson, President/CEO (Chief of Police, ret.) Mobile: 916-622-5323; office 916-789-9990 or email: gary@publicsectorsearch.com