Police Chief job in Bellingham, Washington

POLICE CHIEF
City of Bellingham, Washington
Salary: $162,720 - $196,884

The City of Bellingham, Washington, (pop. 90,000+), is among the most livable, vibrant communities in the country, centered just 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, B.C. With Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands to the west, snowcapped Mt. Baker and the Cascade Mountains to the east, and the surrounding area dotted with lakes, Bellingham is a breathtakingly beautiful place to live and work. Bellingham is among the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country, and the town and surrounding wilderness make it a distinctly livable city. Bellingham is the recipient of a long list of awards, including many designations as a “best place” for livability and outdoor adventures and recognition for leadership in sustainability. The city is also home to Western Washington University.

The City of Bellingham Police Department consist of 188.4 FTEs and operates on a budget of $70.4 million for the 2021-2022 biennium. The department is comprised of two divisions, each commanded by a Deputy Chief. One division includes Uniformed Patrol, Special Operations, Outreach, Investigations. The second division includes Administrative Services, including the Office of Professional Responsibility, Training Records, IT, What-Comm Communications Center, Accreditation, and Policy Development.

Reporting directly to the Mayor, the Police Chief actively provides leadership, direction, and general administrative oversight to the Police Department and employees, for the operation of the countywide public safety emergency dispatch center, and for cooperative relationships and initiatives with regional law enforcement agencies.

This position requires 7 years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience as a commissioned officer, including 5 years in senior law enforcement management. Local government law enforcement experience is highly desirable. Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement, criminal justice, or a related field. Advanced law enforcement training (e.g., FBI National Academy, Executive Command College, or other advanced/executive training) is desirable. Any combination of relevant education and experience which clearly demonstrates the knowledge, skill and ability to perform the essential functions of the job will be considered. (Please see the full job description for additional requirements.)

For a complete position profile, full job description and to apply online, visit Prothman at https://www.prothman.com/, click on "Open Recruitments" and then click the position title. For questions, call 206-368-0050. The City of Bellingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. First review of applications: February 6, 2022 (open until filled).