Police Chief

City of Bakersfield, CA • Bakersfield, CA

52d

About The Position

Under administrative direction of the City Manager, directs all the activities of the Police Department. Work involves planning, budgeting, direction, and supervision, through subordinates of all operations, functions, and activities directed to the enforcement of law, prevention of crime, and protection of life and property; and performs other work as required. For a full job description, please click here.

Requirements

• A COMPLETED CITY APPLICATION and SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE which comprehensively documents rank and job assignments must be received by the Human Resources Department by the filing deadline of December 3, 2025, by 1:00 p.m.
• A Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Business, Criminal Justice, or related field; AND
• Five (5) years of increasingly advanced law enforcement experience, in a senior management capacity preferably in a large metropolitan law enforcement department of similar complexity including three (3) years in a police management position; AND
• Sworn Law Enforcement Officer in the State of California or eligible to be a Sworn Law Enforcement Officer in the State of California.
• Possession of a valid California Class "C" drivers' license.
• Possession of a P.O.S.T. Management Certificate.
• Must be able to pass a P.O.S.T. background check.

Nice To Haves

• Master's Degree in a related field.
• Completion of Police Executive Leadership Institute (PELI), Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), Senior Management Institute for Policing, P.O.S.T. Command College, California Police Chief's Association (CPCA) Executive Leadership Institute, or F.B.I. National Academy.
• Possession of a P.O.S.T. Executive Certificate.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees