Salary: $95,664.55 - $143,496.82 Annually
Location : Police Department - Lincolnton, NC
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number:Fund: 10 GENERAL FUND
Department: 4310 - POLICE
Opening Date: 11/05/2026
Closing Date: 12/4/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
Distinguishing Features of the Class Attachments Must Be In PDF FormatInclude a Cover Letter and ResumePolice Chief Recruitment Packet - CLICK HEREPrimary Reason Why Classification ExistsPerforms administrative, managerial, and specialized law enforcement work in directing the activities of the Police Department.
Distinguishing Features of the ClassAn employee in this class plans and directs the law enforcement program of the City. Work includes the responsibility for the protection of life and property through a varied program of enforcement, detection and prevention of crime and accidents. Work also involves a full managerial and supervisory role including the establishment of operations and policy, evaluation and adherence to prescribed standards, and planning for and implementing special law enforcement activities. Work also includes preparing special State, federal and local reports, analyzing crime and accident trends; cooperating with other law enforcement agencies, preparing and managing a budget and supervising all department personnel. Work is performed in accordance with departmental policy and State and federal law. Work is performed under the direct supervision of the City Manager and is evaluated through observation, discussion and review of reports, and through an appraisal of the general effectiveness of departmental operations.
Illustrative Examples of Work - Performs all administrative functions to include strategically planning the departmental goals and objectives from a long/short term perspective;
- Projects and develops budgetary needs for the department and provides a justification to management; monitors monthly budget via purchasing; develops purchasing specifications, and writes and monitors any grants.
- Recruits, selects, and oversees the training of personnel for the department; advises, directs, and consults with subordinate officers on matters of training, work assignments, scheduling, and discipline.
- Receives and acts upon inquiries or complaints from the public concerning police activities and services.
- Supervises internal personnel investigations; establishes policies, procedures and operations; sets priorities; evaluates the department and its personnel.
- Supervises the preparation of periodic reports of crime and accident activity and police department activities; and analyzes data for trends.
- Works with the public on difficult or unusual crime situations; cooperates with other law enforcement agencies in crime prevention, detection, and investigative activities.
- Takes a lead role in directing police activity at major crime scenes; spot checks routine patrol areas and observes traffic situations to assist in monitoring effectiveness of operations.
- Represents the Police Department and the City in presentations and speeches to civic and volunteer organizations; makes press releases and is interviewed by the media.
- Attends City Council meetings and is prepared to speak on issues related to the police department
- Attends various community functions; interacts with residents to establish and maintain positive image of department and law enforcement activities
- Performs related duties as required.
Knowledge,Skills,and Abilities - Thorough knowledge of law enforcement principles, practices, methods, and equipment.
- Considerable knowledge of State and federal laws, local ordinances and policies of the police department.
- Thorough knowledge of the physical, economic, and social characteristics of the City.
- Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of law enforcement program planning and budgeting
- Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of community policing.
- Knowledge related to evaluating and implementing contemporary law-enforcement technology and data-informed operations.
- Knowledge of strategic planning, accreditation principles, policy/risk review, recruitment and retention strategies, succession planning, grants, capital programs, community engagement and effective public/media communications.
- Skill in the use of firearms and other police equipment and in the application of self-defense tactics.
- Skill in collaborative problem-solving and conflict resolution.
- Ability to effectively and efficiently manage a department including all related administrative and supervisory functions including personnel and budget administration.
- Ability to establish a clear sense of mission and vision in the department and motivate staff with this sense of purpose and direction.
- Ability to establish authority and to lead and inspire confidence among subordinate officers.
- Ability to act with sound judgment in routine and emergency situations.
- Ability to plan and direct special programs and events related to law enforcement.
- Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective public relations with the community.
- Ability to provide leadership and work in a consulting capacity with a variety of public officials at various levels of authority and influence
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments
- Ability to use common office equipment including word processing, spreadsheet and file maintenance programs
- Ability to express ideas effectively orally and in writing
Physical RequirementsWork in this classification is primary administrative and management, but the physical and mental requirements are the same as that of a Police Officer. Physical requirements is defined as medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Vocal communication is required to express or exchange ideas or other information between individuals or groups. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for depth perception, color perception, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of machines and motor vehicles, determining accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing surroundings. Employee must be able to demonstrate continued physical fitness to withstand the rigors of law enforcement officer and potential physical confrontation with assailants and/or foot chases for apprehensions. Employee may be required to use deadly force to subdue an assailant or to protect themselves or others.
Working ConditionsEmployee is exposed to both inside and outside working conditions in all types of weather from extremes of cold and heat to rain/snow/ice as well as varying terrain from streets, dense foliage, dark buildings, and water. Employee may be exposed to noise which would cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level. Work place conditions include operating vehicles for extended periods of time, working varied hours and shifts, and confronting violent persons many of whom have criminal records with little to no respect for law enforcement or who may be a threat to themselves or others. Work requires application of safety precautions and wearing of protective clothing, gloves, and body armor designed to minimize exposure to blood-borne pathogens, communicable diseases, and bodily harm.
Desirable Education and Experience- Possession of a Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public administration, or related field and supplemented by advanced coursework in police administration; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- At least 10 years of progressively responsible full-time law-enforcement experience.
- Significant supervisory and management experience; five to seven years of command-level experience is strongly preferred.
- Preference may be given to an individual who possess a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or related field of study.
- The ideal candidate may have also graduated from a recognized leadership management program such as the FBI Academy, A.O.M.P, Southern Police Institute or a similar management program specifically designed for Law Enforcement.
Special Requirements- Possession of a valid North Carolina driver's license.
- Completion of the minimum requirements established by the North Carolina Justice Training and Standards Council for certified law enforcement officers.
- Possession of Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate issued by the NC Justice Training and Standards Commission.
FLSA Status: Exempt-Executive
DisclaimerThis classification specification has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to perform the job. The City of Lincolnton reserves the right to assign or otherwise modify the duties assigned to this classification.
01
What is the highest rank you have obtained?
- Chief of Police
- Assistant Chief/ Deputy Chief/ Major
- Captain
- Sergeant
- Corporal
- Other
02
At your highest rank what was your comparable level of supervisory experience?
- Chief of Police
- Assistant Chief
- Division Commander (Patrol, CID, Etc.)
- Shift Supervisor
03
How many people did you supervise at your highest level?
- Over 50
- 40 to 50
- 30 to 40
- 20 to 30
- 10 to 20
- Less than 10
04
Do you possess a Bachelor's degree in any of the following areas?
- Criminal Justice
- Police Science
- Public Administration
- Business Administration
- Organizational Leadership
- Other Related Field
- None
05
Do you possess a Master's Degree in any of the following areas?
- Criminal Justice
- Police Science
- Public Administration
- Business Administration
- Organizational Leadership
- Other Related Field
- None
06
Have you attended and graduated from one of the recognized Law Enforcement leadership management programs listed below?
- FBI Academy
- A.O.M.P
- Southern Police Institute
- Have not graduated from any above programs.
07
Do you possess an Advanced Law Enforcement Certification issued by the NC Justice Training and Standards Commission?
08
Which division or divisions do you have at least two years of work experience?
- Patrol
- Criminal Investigations
- Narcotics
09
How many years of law enforcement service do you have?
- 0 to 10 years
- 10 to 15 years
- 15 to 20 years
- 20 + years
10
Do you have hands-on experience with any of the following software programs? Check all that apply.
- Lexipol Policy Management
- PowerDMS
- LEFTA System Shield
- None
11
Do you have any hands-on experience with NC Law Enforcement Accreditation (NCLEA) and/or Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA)? Check all that applies.
12
This position has responsibility for preparing the departmental expenditure budget for presentation to the City Manager. Do you have experience in preparing an expenditure budget for a law enforcement agency?
13
If you have experience in preparing a departmental expenditure budget, what dollar range did the expenditure budget fall within?
- Below $1,000,000
- $1,000,000 - $2,000,000
- $2,000,001 - $3,000,000
- $3,000,001 - $4,000,000
- $4,000,001 - $5,000,000
- $5,000,001 - $6,000,000
- $6,000,001 +
14
Have you worked on and submitted a grant application for your law enforcement agency which was approved and awarded to the agency?
15
Do you possess a valid North Carolina Driver's License?
16
The salary range for the Chief of Police position is G. 67 with the following range:Min- $95,664, Midpoint - $119,580, Max - $143,496 plus benefits. How does that range align with your expectations?
17
What prompted you to apply for this position?
18
What aspects of the position are attractive to you?
19
Work in this position is medium work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and /or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and /or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Would you be able to meet the physical requirements?
20
Do you have any relatives that work for the City of Lincolnton? If yes, please list the relative employed.
Required Question
