Chief of Police

Saint John Police; Saint John; On-site; CAD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

The Saint John Board of Police Commissioners seeks a forward‑looking Chief of Police to lead the Police Force with ethical, community‑centred policing and transparent governance. The Chief will implement strategic direction, ensure lawful operations, build public trust and foster collaborative relationships with partners and the Commission.

Reporting to the Commission, the Chief will oversee performance, professional conduct and safety outcomes while steering organizational change, budget

Qualifications

• Experience leading a police service or large public safety organization.
• Track record in ethical, community‑centred policing and public trust building.
• Ability to engage diverse stakeholders including unions, partners and the public.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and accountability for the Police Force.
• Serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Police Force and senior law enforcement leader for the community.
• Develop and oversee professional procedures, standards and compliance with laws and policies.
• Advocate for budget planning, resource allocation and organizational development in line with the strategic plan.

Job description

The Saint John Board of Police Commissioners (the “Commission”) is seeking a forward-looking police leader to serve as its next Chief of Police.

Reporting to and receiving direction from the Commission, the Chief of Police serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Police Force and the senior law enforcement leader for the community.

The Chief will lead a police service focused on effective, lawful, ethical and community-centred policing. You will provide visible leadership across the organization, champion public trust and community partnerships, and connect the Commission’s strategic direction to the decisions and actions of members across the Force.

As Chief, you will lead and administer the Force in accordance with the Police Act, provincial policing standards, Commission policies and the Commission’s strategic direction. You will be accountable for organizational performance, professional conduct, public confidence and community safety outcomes.

The Role

As Chief of Police, you will maintain an effective, transparent working relationship with the Commission and comply with its lawful direction and instructions. You will develop, implement and oversee professional police procedures and ensure members carry out their duties professionally, fairly and in compliance with applicable law, standards, policies and collective agreements.

You will report regularly to the Commission on operations, organizational performance, progress against the strategic plan, policy compliance, risks, emerging issues and matters requiring Commission awareness or action. You will maintain accountability for the performance, conduct, professionalism and communications of the Force and its members.

In leading the Force, you will:

• Champion an inclusive community policing service-delivery model built on public trust, community partnerships and problem solving, grounded in the principle that “police are the public and the public are police.”


• Create and sustain an inclusive, participatory working environment for sworn and civilian members, full‑and part‑time employees, contract workers and volunteers.


• Provide visible leadership across the organization so members understand strategic priorities and how their decisions and actions contribute to community safety and well‑being.


• Promote a culture of openness to new ideas, creativity, innovation, teamwork, learning, accountability and continuous improvement.


• Convey a positive and credible image of the Police Force to the public, community partners, stakeholders and media.


• Model integrity, authenticity, transparency, professionalism, fairness and respect in all decisions, communications and relationships.

Organizational Leadership

You will manage and direct the Police Force to meet or exceed applicable policing standards while taking into account local conditions, evolving risks and community expectations.

You will prepare and propose annual budget options to the Commission, identifying anticipated operational impacts and alignment with strategic priorities and objectives. You will directly supervise, develop and mentor Deputy Chief(s), senior leaders and other direct reports, sworn and civilian.

You will establish and oversee fair, unbiased and transparent systems for hiring, development, supervision, evaluation, recognition, compensation, promotion and discipline. You will prepare the organization for the future through succession planning and the ongoing development of middle and senior managers.

You will build and maintain constructive relationships with labour associations, municipal partners, community organizations, partner agencies, provincial bodies and policing counterparts. You will also participate in the City’s Public Safety Committee meetings.

The Ideal Candidate

You are an experienced and respected police executive who understands the opportunities and challenges of leading a small or medium-sized police service. Ideally, you have served as a Chief of Police or Deputy Chief, or held a comparable senior executive leadership role, within a small or medium-sized Canadian municipal police service or detachment.

You understand that leadership in a police service in a regional city requires both strategic perspective and a visible, hands‑on leadership presence. You are comfortable working directly with the Commission, senior leaders, members of the Force, municipal partners, labour associations, community organizations and other policing and public‑safety partners.

You have demonstrated your ability to work with partners to reduce crime, improve community safety and well‑being, and respond to complex public‑safety challenges. You have successfully managed in a unionized environment and bring experience with large operational budgets, financial planning and controls, procurement, resource allocation, and related financial and administrative responsibilities.

You have a proven record of building trust within diverse communities and across all ranks and employee groups within a police organization. You are a visible and credible leader who communicates effectively, develops people and builds strong organizational teams.

You understand modern independent civilian police governance and oversight, including the Commission’s role as employer, supervisor and strategic governance body. You know how to build an effective relationship with a civilian police commission while respecting the distinct responsibilities and accountabilities of the Chief and the Commission.

You are comfortable navigating uncertainty and taking accountability for matters you can influence, not only those you directly control. You bring adaptive leadership, systems thinking and complex problem‑solving skills, together with an inclusive orientation, empathy, innovation and a commitment to continuous improvement.

You will bring the judgement and leadership experience to guide the Force through its next chapter while maintaining the trust of its members, the Commission and the community it serves.

Working in the Community

The Chief works primarily in an office and meeting environment and regularly attends Commission meetings, internal meetings, public events, community forums and partner‑agency engagements.

As Chief, you will maintain a visible and accessible presence with members of the Force, community partners and the public. You will maintain required police qualifications and may travel outside the jurisdiction for professional meetings, networking and related duties.

The Chief is expected to reside locally and to be available for significant operational, public‑safety or organizational matters as required.

You will ideally bring post‑secondary education in a field relevant to policing, community safety and well‑being, public administration, leadership, law, criminology or a related discipline.

Experience leading organizational transformation, equity‑focused initiatives, community partnerships and modern police‑service delivery is also preferred.