Chief of Police

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority • Arlington, VA

22h • Onsite

About The Position

The Chief of Police provides leadership and command authority over the Airports Authority Police Department, ensuring the protection of travelers, employees, and Airports Authority property, and the enforcement of applicable federal and state laws and Airports Authority regulations. Reporting to the Vice President for Public Safety, the Chief directs all police operations, personnel, resources, and administrative functions across the Airports Authority facilities. Serving as the Airports Authority’s senior law enforcement executive, the Chief establishes strategic direction, ensures regulatory and accreditation compliance, leads emergency preparedness and response, and fosters strong partnerships with internal departments, labor organizations, allied agencies, and the public. The role requires decisive leadership in complex, high-risk operational environments and a demonstrated commitment to professionalism, accountability, equity, and public trust. Works under the general supervision of the Vice President for Public Safety. Serves in the Police Department (Department) in the Office of Public Safety in Police Headquarters located at Dulles International Airport (IAD). The requirement for the position is conducted by Korn Ferry. If you have any questions, please contact Phil Holsinger by email [email protected].

Requirements

• Ten years of progressively responsible experience supervising police department functions (including managing operations, personnel and administrative functions.
• Of the required experience, at least four (4) years must include command-level responsibility over: A police station or command with approximately 100 sworn officers; or A major operational unit (e.g., bureau, division, or equivalent) with substantial supervisory and budgetary authority.
• Must be a citizen of the United States of America.
• Advanced knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, practices, and standards, including executive-level supervision, accountability systems, and ethical governance.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing law enforcement operations, including airport and transportation-related security requirements.
• Knowledge of law enforcement administrative practices, including policy development, budgeting, and organizational management.
• Knowledge of law enforcement accreditation standards and continuous improvement frameworks.
• Knowledge of the Incident Command System (ICS), emergency management principles, and coordinated response to critical incidents.
• Ability to provide decisive executive leadership in complex, high-risk, and rapidly evolving operational environments.
• Ability to analyze operational, financial, and workforce data and translate findings into strategic decisions and performance improvements.
• Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing, with employees, executive leadership, labor representatives, external partners, and the public.
• Skill in the safe and effective use and oversight of firearms and law enforcement equipment consistent with sworn executive responsibilities.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and modern information systems to support operational oversight and decision-making.
• Demonstrated commitment to ethics, integrity, transparency, and public trust.
• Must be able to successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation; and pass a comprehensive medical examination including drug screening and a vision.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, Police Science, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Experience as a Deputy Chief of Police or the equivalent.
• Graduation from the FBI National Academy, PERF’s Senior Management Institute for Police, or comparable executive training.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and command authority over the Police Department, with accountability for all operational, administrative, fiscal, and personnel functions.
• Ensures the delivery of safe, effective, and responsive law enforcement services to the traveling public, airport tenants, employees, and surrounding communities.
• Establishes, implements, and enforces Department General Orders, Special Orders, and operational policies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws; Airports Authority regulations; accreditation standards; and Office of Public Safety directives.
• Advises the Vice President for Public Safety and senior Airports Authority leadership on complex, high-risk, and cross-organizational operational and administrative matters impacting Authority-wide public safety and continuity of operations.
• Directs and approves policing strategies for major incidents, emergencies, and special events across Airports Authority facilities, ensuring preparedness, coordination, and operational resilience.
• Direct all personnel management issues for the Police Department, including appointments, promotions, demotions, suspensions, dismissals, and assignment and transfer of members.
• Reviews and resolves employee conduct matters; serves as the deciding official on designated grievances and provides executive-level input on grievances elevated to higher authorities.
• Advises the management team on negotiations and other critical interactions with the bargaining units.
• Advises or takes action on management-employee relations.
• Is the deciding official on some grievances; provides input on grievances to be decided at higher echelons.
• Develops and oversees short- and long-range strategic plans including staffing, budget, equipment, facilities, technology, and strategic and tactical planning requirements.
• Establishes departmental goals, performance metrics, and accountability frameworks; evaluates outcomes and implements continuous improvement initiatives.
• Allocate resources within the Department and identify present and future needs.
• Maintains a visible command presence through regular site visits and field engagement to monitor performance, ensure operational integrity, and provide leadership oversight.
• Represents the Police Department and the Airports Authority in judicial proceedings, providing credible testimony and ensuring case readiness as required.
• Builds and sustains collaborative relationships with internal Airports Authority departments; federal, state, and local law enforcement partners; emergency management agencies; airport stakeholders; and community organizations.
• Represents the Police Department in public forums, media engagements, and official briefings; conducts executive-level meetings to communicate priorities, policies, and operational direction.
• Reviews and analyzes reports, studies, projects, grievances, and actions and make recommendations for the appropriate course of action or implementation of new or revised policies and procedures for the Police Department.
• Fosters a culture of professionalism, integrity, and accountability, ensuring equitable application of policies and fair delivery of police services.
• Serves as Acting Vice President for Public Safety in the absence of the Vice President, as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage; well-being resources; health savings and flexible spending accounts; pension and retirement plans; and ongoing training and development opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees