Chief of Police

City of Montpelier; Montpelier (VT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Montpelier seeks a Chief of Police to lead a full-service department focused on professional, responsive, and community-centered policing. The role will require strategic oversight of patrol, investigations, dispatch, and public safety operations while upholding transparency and public trust.

The ideal candidate will have a track record in community policing, organizational growth, and budget management, with demonstrated experience supervising a communications/dispatch center and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in criminal justice, public administration, or a related field.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead as Chief of Police with a service-focused organizational culture and strong community policing emphasis.
• Provide guidance in budgeting, personnel development, and regional collaboration.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, or a related field

Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered

Job description

Our department is committed to providing professional, responsive, and community-focused lawenforcement services to the residents and visitors of Montpelier. We are a full-service agencyproviding 24-hour patrol coverage, investigative services, emergency communications, andproactive crime prevention strategies. When fully staffed, our team consists of 17 full-timesworn members, eight full-time emergency dispatchers, a public safety support administrator,and three part-time community service officers who work together every day to protect andserve our community. The Deputy Chief position is currently vacant and will be filled after ournext Chief is appointed.

The department has a $4.37 million operating budget, and in 2025 responded to 10,112 calls forservice, an increase of about 10% over the previous year. Addressing the needs of theunhoused has created an additional set of challenges for the department and the city tonavigate.

We are committed to maintaining strong partnerships with the community we serve.Transparency, professionalism, and respect are the foundations of our work, and we believe thateffective policing depends on trust and collaboration with our residents, businesses, andvisitors. Our vision is to provide exemplary police services to residents, workers, and visitors,ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all. The department partners closely with thecommissioned Police Review Committee to incorporate ideas and best practices that promotepublic trust, preserve peace, prevent crime, and enforce the law while safeguarding individualrights. Montpelier Police Department is committed to serving all members of the communitywith dignity and respect.

The next Chief of Police should be prepared to serve as a visionary leader to a service-focusedorganizational culture. The ideal candidate is an approachable, servant-minded leader withexceptional interpersonal skills, and a demonstrated commitment to community policing,employee development, transparency, and ethical leadership. The ideal candidate will haveexperience supervising a communications/dispatch center, as well as creating operations plansfor major public events. Experience leading organizational growth, managing complex budgets,building regional partnerships, and mentoring future leaders will be highly valued. Emergencymanagement experience is also desired.

The next Chief of Police should bring a strong record of community policing with expertise indeescalation training; successful implementation of strategies that address the intersection ofsocial services and public safety; innovative ideas for improving systems of accountability; anddemonstration of experience in regional collaboration.

The ideal candidate recognizes the importance of strong partnerships, visibility in thecommunity, and cares deeply about public service, understanding the strength of a communityis the people that are part of it.

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, or a related field; minimum of
  10 years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience with at least five
  years at a supervisory/management level. An equivalent combination of education,
  training, and experience may be considered.

• Must be a full-time certified Vermont law enforcement officer, or able to meet all Vermont
  Criminal Justice Council requirements to obtain Level III certification within one year of
  appointment.