Police Chief - City of Bartow, FL

Noblenational; Bartow (FL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Municipal benefits package

Competitive salary

Job summary

City of Bartow is seeking a Police Chief who is a visionary and decisive leader, dedicated to serving all segments of the Bartow community. The Chief will direct operations, manage personnel, and report to the City Manager, ensuring public safety and strong community partnerships.

The ideal candidate has a proven record of integrity, accountability, and professional development, with credentials in law enforcement and a willingness to engage with diverse stakeholders across Polk County.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college/university with major coursework in law enforcement, criminal Justice, Criminology, public administration, or a related field
• Ten (10) years’ experience of a wide and progressively responsible nature in law enforcement; five years of which must have been at the level of Chief or Command Level position in a comparable department
• Possess or have the ability to obtain certification as a Law Enforcement Officer from the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, or an equivalent certification from another state with the ability to obtain certification in Florida prior to commencing employment.
• An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities and other competencies necessary for the position will be considered
• Possession, or ability to obtain, a valid Florida Driver License

Responsibilities

• Appointed by and reporting directly to the City Manager, the Police Chief directs the Police Department’s functions, operations, and personnel
• Spearheads proactive, community-oriented policing built on respect, integrity, service, and excellence
• Speaks before public groups on department plans, programs, and goals
• Oversees administration and coordination with partner agencies to sustain public safety

Skills

Leadership

Community relations

Accountability

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in law enforcement/criminal justice/public administration

Master’s Degree (preferred) in related field

Tools

Law Enforcement Officer Certification (FL CJSTC)

Job description

We’re looking for a Police Chief who is:

• A visionary and decisive leader who is service-oriented and passionate about directing the City’s law enforcement operations
• A principled leader, exhibiting the highest integrity, moral character, and accountability
• Approachable and accessible, seeking to serve and connect with all segments of Bartow’s diverse community
• Committed to professional development, accountability, and service excellence

Bartow, Florida, is a city of roughly 23,600 residents and serves as the county seat of Polk County. Known as the “City of Oaks and Azaleas,” Bartow combines the charm of a historic town with the resources of a regional government hub. The City is home to numerous county, state, and federal offices, including the Florida Department of Transportation’s District One headquarters.

Appointed by and reporting directly to the City Manager, the Police Chief plays a critical role in sustaining Bartow’s commitment to public safety while fostering strong relationships with the community and partner agencies. The position is responsible for the overall administrative direction of the Police Department’s functions, operations, and personnel through supervision of subordinate staff and review of their activities.

The Bartow Police Department is committed to proactive, community-oriented policing built on respect, integrity, service, and excellence. With 48 sworn and 28 civilian positions, the Department provides patrol, investigations, traffic enforcement, K-9, and community outreach programs. The Department is accredited through the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA), and the Bartow Police/Fire Communications Center is accredited by the Florida Telecommunications Accreditation Commission.

The Police Chief serves as the primary City authority on matters pertaining to department programs and law enforcement, and speaks before public groups on the plans, programs, and goals of the Police Department.

Required qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in law enforcement, criminal Justice, Criminology, public administration, or a related field
• Ten (10) years’ experience of a wide and progressively responsible nature in law enforcement; five years of which must have been at the level of Chief or Command Level position in a comparable department
• Possess or have the ability to obtain certification as a Law Enforcement Officer from the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, or an equivalent certification from another state with the ability to obtain certification in Florida prior to commencing employment.
• An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities and other competencies necessary for the position will be considered
• Possession, or ability to obtain, a valid Florida Driver License

Preferred:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in law enforcement, criminal Justice, Criminology, public administration, or a related field
• Completion of advanced leadership programs (FBI National Academy, University of Louisville Southern Police Institute, Northwestern University School of Police Staff & Command, etc.)
• Experience in accredited agencies

The City of Bartow offers a competitive starting salary of $130,000 - $180,000 DOE/DOQ, coupled with an array of traditional municipal benefits.