Police Chief

GMP Consultants Inc.; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 306,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Vancouver, Washington, is seeking a Police Chief to lead the Vancouver Police Department, a full-service agency serving a city of about 200,000 residents across the Columbia River from Portland. The Chief will oversee operations, set strategic direction, and partner with the community and elected officials.

The Police Chief will manage a budget anchored around $85 million, lead 254 sworn personnel and 57.5 professional staff, and guide initiatives such as new headquarters planning and

Job description

Organization: City of Vancouver

Position Title: Police Chief

Address: 415 W. 6th St., Vancouver, WA 98660

First Review: November 15, 2026

Salary Range: $174,780 - $305,868

The City of Vancouver is seeking a Police Chief for Washington’s fourth-largest city, a vibrant and growing community of 200,000 located across the Columbia River from Portland. As one of the oldest cities in the state, Vancouver features a unique mix of historic heritage and revitalized urban areas offering the excitement of a major metropolitan area along with small-town charm and family-friendly neighborhoods.

THE CITY OF VANCOUVER

The City of Vancouver operates under a Council-Manager form of government with a 2027-28 biennial budget of $2.3 billion and 1,430 full-time equivalent positions. The City Manager’s Office leads 12 departments: City Attorney, Communications, Community Development, Economic Prosperity & Housing, Financial & Management Services, Fire, General Services, Human Resources, Engagement & Access, Police, Public Works, and Parks, Recreation, & Cultural Services.

THE VANCOUVER POLICE DEPARTMENT

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is a full-service, 24-hour municipal police agency operating across 51.84 square miles in Southwest Washington. The Department operates with a budget of $85 million and is authorized for 254 sworn personnel and 57.5 professional staff positions. VPD handles approximately 115,000 dispatched incidents annually and provides comprehensive police services through its Patrol Bureau, Investigations Division, Special Operations Division, and Administrative Bureau.

WHY APPLY

This position offers an opportunity to lead a professional, dedicated workforce and partner effectively with the community to ensure continued exceptional service delivery in one of Washington State’s largest cities. The Vancouver Police Department enjoys strong support from the community and the City’s elected and administrative officials. The next Police Chief will benefit from increased resources from the State of Washington and a local public safety sales tax to support additional staffing for this fast-growing community. The Chief will also have an opportunity to help advance plans for a new police headquarters and expansion of the Neighborhood Police Officer program.

The City of Vancouver is an Equal Opportunity Employer. First Review is November 15, 2026.