Job Description

Job Summary

***Applications received by January 16, 2026 will receive first consideration. The position will remain open until filled***

The Chief of Police serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Police Department for the City of Frederick, the second largest municipality in the State of Maryland serving a diverse and growing community of approximately 90,000 residents. The Chief of Police has overall responsibility for enforcing the law and administering the Department. This is an appointed leadership position reporting directly to the Mayor. The Chief of Police holds the rank of Colonel as set forth in Section 17-1 of the City Code and is responsible for planning, directing, supervising and coordinating the activities of the City Police Department in the areas of law enforcement and crime prevention. This position assesses law enforcement needs and provides highly responsible and technical assistance to the Mayor and City Council.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plans, coordinates and directs the activities of the Police Department.
• Directs the preparation of the Department's strategic plan and reviews goals and objectives of each organizational component.
• Ensures the enforcement of laws and municipal ordinances.
• Builds and maintains strong, positive relationships both within city operations and throughout the community, including active engagement with groups such as the Chief's Community Advisory Board, Employee Advisory Committee, Neighborhood Advisory Committees, partner agencies, and community and non-profit groups.
• Ensure compliance with related to police discipline and accountability, the Frederick County Police Accountability Board, and City policies and procedures.
• Issues final authority of Departmental policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Formulates the annual Departmental budget and exercises final authority over Departmental budget expenditures.
• Directs the preparation and distribution of all internal and external reports.
• Serves as liaison to other law enforcement and criminal justice agencies.
• Promotes goodwill, education, and public cooperation through presentations to civic, fraternal, and other organizations.
• Maintains efficiency and effectiveness within the Department. Implements effective succession planning to ensure leadership continuity, professional development, and organizational readiness at all levels of the department.
• Promotes and supports the wellness, mental health, and resiliency of department members by ensuring access to resources, fostering a supportive culture, and prioritizing employee well-being.
• Provides direct supervision to the Commanders/Directors of the Department's two Bureaus (Special Services Bureau and Operational Services Bureau), and others that may be established.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Mayor.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Education and/or Experience

• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible law enforcement management experience, with at least three (3) years' experience in a senior-level command position. A graduate degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or a related field may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required management experience.
• Graduation from a nationally recognized command/leadership school such as the FBI National Academy (FBINA), the Police Executive Research Forum's Senior Institute for Police (SMIP), or Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command, or an equivalent program strongly preferred.
• A Graduate degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Administrative Sciences, or related is strongly preferred.

Special Requirements

• Valid Maryland Driver's License with satisfactory driving record that meets insurability standards of the City's insurance carrier. The license and satisfactory driving record must be maintained during the course of employment.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment physical.
• Residency requirement shall be as set forth in the City Charter.
• An employee in this classification is subject to random drug testing pursuant to the City of Frederick's Drug-Free Workplace Policy, Drug & Alcohol Testing Procedures.
• Upon Appointment, obtain and maintain Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPTC) Certification.
• Maintain proficiency and qualification with department-issued firearm.

Required Skills (Communication/Language; Mathematical; Computer; etc.)

• Extensive knowledge of modern principles, practices and techniques of police administration, organization and operations; criminal justice system; technical and management phases of law enforcement and crime prevention; local government organization and administration;
• Ability to exercise a high degree of tact, discretion, good judgement, and diplomacy to foster cooperative working relationships with diverse groups of people;
• Working knowledge and demonstrated ability in the areas of labor relations, budget preparation and resource management;
• Strong background in community relations, customer/citizen satisfaction and community services;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, in both oral and written format;
• Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate all departmental operations;
• Ability to exercise sound judgement in emergency situations;
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to manage complex community and department relationships and resolve conflicts effectively;
• Proficiency in computer programs such as OFFICE 365, including MS WORD, OUTLOOK, EXCEL, POWERPOINT, ACCESS, and TEAMS;
• Maintain membership in Maryland Chiefs of Police Association, Maryland Municipal League, and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments;
• Wear and maintain official uniforms and business attire as appropriate;
• Bilingual language ability in Spanish and/or American Sign Language are desired.

Physical Demands

Employee must be capable of performing the essential duties of a police officer. Sedentary work requiring the exertion of up to ten (10) pounds of force occasionally and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed and/or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels, to receive detailed information through oral communications, and/or to make fine distinctions in sound. Visual acuity is required for depth perception, night vision, peripheral vision, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, use of measuring devices, operation of machines, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities.

Work Environment/Condition

The majority of work is performed in a typical office setting; however, the incumbent is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions to include extreme cold, extreme heat, noise, vibration, hazards, atmospheric conditions, and oils. The employee may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment. Work performed in this job may put the employee at risk of occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens. Hepatitis A & B vaccinations will be offered.

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