Position Description

The City of Seattle seeks an experienced law enforcement executive with a demonstrated track record of effective organizational leadership, successful change management, responsible administration of public resources, productive relationships with law enforcement labor unions, and a clear focus on building the community relationships necessary to ensure that everyone in every Seattle neighborhood feels safe and in partnership with their police department.

The Seattle Police Chief leads the development of Seattle Police Department (SPD) goals in alignment with the mayor’s public safety vision. The chief is responsible for budget and staffing strategy, direction of policy development, and oversight of the delivery of police services. The chief supervises the department’s command staff and is responsible for ensuring organizational alignment in vision, values, and operations through the chain of command. The chief also provides expert counsel on policing issues and builds cooperative working relationships with the mayor, members of the city council, intergovernmental partners, neighborhood businesses and service providers, advocacy groups, and community members. Reporting to the mayor, this cabinet-level position leads the largest municipal law enforcement agency in Washington State, with more than 1,200 authorized sworn officers and 600 civilian employees.

The Seattle Police Chief is accountable for the following deliverables:

Establish a clear understanding within the department and across the city that the Seattle Police Department’s top priority is that every person living, working, and recreating in Seattle feels safe and in a trusted relationship with the department.
Develop and share with the Mayor’s Office a clear and specific staffing plan that aligns sworn and civilian personnel capacity and expertise with Seattle’s place- and problem-based public safety needs, and a reporting plan with metrics and cadence that allow continuous evaluation and improvement.
In collaboration with the chiefs of the Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) Department and Seattle Fire Department develop and share with the Mayor's Office a plan to improve 9-1-1 call response times that, includes clear protocols for coordinating deployment of Seattle's diversified response teams located in CARE and Seattle Fire Department's Mobile Integrated Health Program, including backups and handoffs that support the city's commitment to send the right response to every call.
Develop and share with the Mayor’s Office a plan to strengthen community engagement in areas of concentrated criminal activity, strengthen investigative performance and results, improve crime clearance rates, and minimize prosecutor decline rates.
In collaboration with regional public health providers and policy experts, community-based direct service providers, law enforcement partners, and small businesses and neighborhood organizations, develop comprehensive strategies to address gun violence and concentrated public disorder crimes. Partner across disciplines and jurisdictions to develop agreed metrics for evaluation and continuous improvement, and coordinated systems for sharing data regarding service delivery and impact.
Build and maintain community trust through communication, strong accountability systems, and community engagement on policing priorities.

Job Responsibilities

The Seattle Police Chief is responsible for managing police services to maximize effectiveness and efficiency, fostering an organizational culture of trust and commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, and earning the confidence and trust of the people of Seattle.

The Priorities Of The Seattle Police Chief Are

Lead the Seattle Police Department – Ensure department operations, programs, resources, and employees equitably address the city’s public safety needs. Optimize community policing and crime prevention and reduction strategies, emphasizing accountability and transparency from the command staff to the rank and file. Align department operations with city objectives, the law, service equity, and regulatory compliance. Promptly identify and resolve organizational issues in collaboration with key stakeholders.
Prevent and reduce gun violence and other violent crimes – Lead the implementation of holistic, evidence-based, community-led solutions to disrupt violence and reduce gun crime. Collaborate with community partners, other city departments, and partner agencies to enhance safety in heavily impacted neighborhoods.
Operate with collaboration, transparency, and trust – Prioritize open, clear communication, genuine collaboration across city government, and hold a deep commitment to Seattle's communities. Center the principle that keeping people safe requires trust, and trust requires showing up in neighborhoods every day, building relationships with residents and community organizations, and being accountable to the people the department serves.
Build a strong workplace culture – Clearly communicate the department’s policing vision, lead by example, and ensure effective, transparent policies. Foster an environment of continuous learning and improvement where officers understand policy updates and best practices, emphasizing de-escalation and openness to innovative alternatives. Prioritize officer well-being and foster a transparent, accountable workplace aligned with the city’s values. Promote talent development to build a flexible, growth-oriented workforce. Manage employees in a union environment, collaborate with union leadership, and oversee personnel actions, including hiring, grievances, and performance management.
Collaborate with valued partners – Work with city departments, accountability partners, business and community organizations, and other agencies to promote public safety. Invest in relationships by engaging openly with residents, neighborhood organizations, businesses, educational institutions, faith communities, advocacy organizations, elected officials, and public safety partners. Sustain and build strong, collaborative working relationships with Seattle Fire, CARE, the Office of Emergency Management, and other city departments, as well as local, regional, and state public safety partners, in support of coordinated, effective service delivery.
Champion inclusive and accountable governance – Center accountability, transparency, and responsiveness in the direction, management, and oversight of department operations. Lead ‘best-in-class’ administrative and operational processes that embed inclusive and accountable governance through rigorous fiscal management, collaborative program planning, and transparent, performance-based reporting.

Qualifications

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. They bring expertise from their experience in law enforcement leadership, including significant executive-level experience within a complex policing organization. As the next chief, they will build on Seattle’s completed and ongoing reforms, demonstrating their ability to drive positive change and shape culture. Equity will center their decision-making; they actively listen and are committed to justice for everyone. They are trusted partners who act with transparency and compassion. Active engagement and partnerships with the people they serve inform their leadership. They inspire trust, value people, are driven by public service, and consistently act with integrity, accountability, and collaboration.

The Seattle Police Chief position requires certification, or the ability to obtain certification, as a police officer as required by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission: https://cjtc.wa.gov/certification. Additionally, applicants must meet established state requirements to serve as a Police Chief https://cjtc.wa.gov/certification.

Additional Information

Seattle is a charter city with a mayor-council form of government. The mayor is the chief executive officer of Seattle’s municipal government. The mayor is elected at large, as are two of the nine city council members; the remaining seven are elected by council district. The city council is responsible for approving the City’s budget and developing laws and policies intended to promote the health and safety of Seattle’s residents. To learn more about Seattle, visit https://www.seattle.gov/.

As outlined in the City Charter, the Seattle Police Chief is appointed by the mayor, subject to confirmation by a majority vote of the city council. Under existing civil service rules and regulations, the Seattle Police Chief appoints all other Seattle Police Department police officers.

This is a full-time, FLSA-exempt position that is not covered by the civil service and is classified as Seattle Police Chief.

Salary: The full salary range for this classification is $234,294 to $374,900 annually, based on 2088 hours ($112.21 - $179.55 per hour). Relocation has been authorized for this position.

Accommodations: We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Contact Pam Inch at Pam.Inch@seattle.gov to request accommodation.

Background Check: Job offers are contingent on criminal history review and verification of applicant information and other information required by the employment process. The background check will include an extensive criminal history check, including conviction and arrest records; a driving history review; and a check of personnel and commission records, in compliance with state and city background requirements of RCW 43.101.095, WAC Chapter 139-07, SMC 14.17, and SMC 4.79.020. In compliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17, applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

Benefits: The City offers a comprehensive benefits package including leave and medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance—more information is available at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits. The Chief of Police participates in the Washington State Law Enforcement Retirement Program (LEOFF).

Application Process: Submit a resume and cover letter. Use your cover letter to describe why you want to lead the Seattle Police Department and what uniquely qualifies you for this role.

This position is open to all candidates who meet the minimum job requirements and demonstrate alignment with the qualifications described above.

Employment process: Qualified applicants will be reviewed by an advisory committee selected by the mayor. The advisory committee will recommend to the mayor candidates to participate in the competitive examination process.

The Seattle Police Department: The Seattle Police Department (SPD) prevents crime, enforces laws, and supports public safety by delivering respectful, professional, and dependable police services. The Seattle Police Department operates 24/7 within a framework that divides the city into five geographical areas called “precincts.” These precincts define the east, west, north, south, and southwest patrol areas, with a precinct in each. The department's organizational model prioritizes neighborhood-based emergency response services, allowing the Seattle Police Department the greatest flexibility in managing public safety. Detectives in centralized investigative units conduct follow-up investigations into violent, property, and other types of crimes. To serve the City of Seattle, the department trains and equips sworn officers and supports all employees through policy guidance, human resources administration, communications strategy, and operational and technological support.

The Seattle Police Department has a $488.6 million 2026 budget and 1,879 full-time approved equivalent positions. See Seattle Police Department precincts and patrol boundaries here, and a summary of the 2026 approved budget here.

Additional information about the Seattle Police Department (SPD) is available at: www.Seattle.gov/Police.

Police Accountability Structure: Seattle’s police accountability system was established by ordinance in 2017 and includes the Community Police Commission, the Office of Police Accountability, and the Office of Inspector General for Public Safety. Each entity acts independently and has different oversight functions and responsibilities.

The Community Police Commission provides community input to ensure that police services are delivered in a lawful and nondiscriminatory manner and are aligned with community values and expectations. The Office of Police Accountability independently handles misconduct complaints against Seattle Police Department employees relating to Seattle Police Department policy and federal, state, and local law. The Office of the Inspector General provides civilian auditing authority of the management, practices, and policies of the Seattle Police Department and the Office of Police Accountability.

The Community Police Commission, the Office of Police Accountability, and the Office of Inspector General for Public Safety are statutorily coequal. They are designed to build trust and confidence while providing oversight to a police department that respects the constitutional rights of the people of Seattle.

The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, and veterans. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or medical condition.

Questions: If you have questions, please contact Pam Inch, Senior Executive Recruiter at pam.inch@seattle.gov.

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