Police Chief

Town of Wrightsville Beach • Wrightsville Beach, NC

16h • Onsite

About The Position

The Town of Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, is seeking an experienced law enforcement leader to serve as its Police Chief. The Chief will provide strategic direction for the Police Department in collaboration with the Town Manager, aligning departmental priorities with community needs and maintaining effective relationships with officers, residents, businesses, visitors, and municipal partners.

Wrightsville Beach is a coastal community with seasonal population increases and corresponding public safety demands. The Chief will balance the needs of year-round residents and visitors, address challenges associated with the coastal environment, and promote proactive community policing, accessibility, responsiveness, and public trust. The department has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies since 2015.

The role calls for a leader who demonstrates integrity, sound judgment, and clear expectations; supports and develops employees; and fosters a professional, accountable, collaborative, transparent, and service-oriented culture. The position offers a salary of $106,230–$172,546, depending on qualifications (DOQ).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement Administration, Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or a related field, and at least five years of progressively responsible experience in law enforcement administration or command work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties.
• North Carolina law enforcement officer certification, or eligibility to obtain the required certification within the period established by the hiring municipality and the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain a valid North Carolina driver’s license as required by the municipality.
• Considerable progressively responsible law enforcement experience, including substantial command, management, or administrative experience involving personnel, operations, budgeting, and organizational leadership.
• Thorough knowledge of modern law enforcement principles, investigative methods, crime prevention, emergency management, police administration, and applicable federal and North Carolina laws and local ordinances.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic plans, evaluate departmental programs and performance data, manage budgets and grants, and allocate personnel and equipment effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach, mentor, supervise, and evaluate personnel; exercise sound judgment; resolve conflict or provide discipline when necessary; guide organizational change; and make timely decisions under pressure.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with municipal officials, employees, law enforcement partners, community groups, and the public.
• Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively in writing and orally, and respond tactfully to sensitive concerns.
• Ability to use relevant law enforcement, reporting, office, and financial management technology and prepare clear, accurate, and thorough reports.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise discretion, uphold ethical standards, and ensure lawful and accountable departmental operations.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree.
• Specialized executive or command leadership training, such as the FBI National Academy or Senior Management Institute for Police.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for the Police Department in collaboration with the Town Manager, aligning departmental priorities with community needs.
• Promote proactive community policing and maintain meaningful relationships with residents, businesses, visitors, and community groups.
• Prepare the department to address seasonal population changes, increased tourism, and evolving public safety demands in a coastal community.
• Align staffing, training, equipment, and budget decisions with the department's mission and community needs.
• Mentor and support officers and supervisors through feedback, professional development, and opportunities for growth.
• Strengthen recruitment, retention, and accountability.
• Establish a vision and foster professionalism, collaboration, transparency, and service to build public trust and support the department's long-term success.
• Develop and implement strategic plans; evaluate programs and performance data; manage budgets and grants; and allocate personnel and equipment effectively.
• Lead, coach, supervise, and evaluate personnel; resolve conflict, provide discipline when necessary, and guide organizational change.
• Make timely decisions in high-pressure situations and ensure lawful, ethical, and accountable departmental operations.
• Build effective working relationships with municipal officials, employees, law enforcement partners, community groups, and the public.
• Communicate clearly and persuasively, respond tactfully to sensitive concerns, and prepare clear, accurate, thorough reports.
• Use relevant law enforcement, reporting, office, and financial management technology.

Benefits

• Employer-covered medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, and short-term disability.
• 401(k) with 5% law enforcement contribution.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Double time on certain holidays.
• Longevity bonus pay.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• North Carolina Retirement System participation.
• Possibility of up to a 5% increase after six months of continuous employment in good standing.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive