NCJ Number
172963
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 21 Issue: 10 Dated: October 1997 Pages: 26-28-33
Date Published
1997
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Police officers who aspire to become a police chief need to recognize the complex political, fiscal, legal, and social arena in which a police chief operates and the need for more experience, training, education, skills, and political knowledge than ever before.
Abstract
The jobs of both police officers and police chiefs have changed in recent years. Complex situations such as collective bargaining and litigation add to the stress of the police chief's job. Two common disadvantages of the police chief's position are the politics and the large time demands. Neighborhood and business associations, civilians, patrol and superior officers' unions, and specific interest groups all seek to influence the chief. Fourteen-hour days are often required; one police chief calls the position a 24-hour-a-day job. Beepers, cellular telephone, and other modern technological advances make it impossible to be away from the job. The police chief also represents the police agency to the public and thus must have impeccable ethics and private life. Competition to become a police chief has become acute. Many jobs become known by word of mouth. Government entities vary in their approaches to selecting a police chief. Police chiefs need patrol experience, exposure to many assignments, and managerial experience in several areas. A bachelor's degree is the minimum; a master's degree is preferred. Applicants for a particular position also need to prepare for the interview by becoming familiar with the agency and the jurisdiction. Photographs and figure