Job Description
JOB Position Closes June 7th, 2026Are you a law enforcement executive who . . .Drives innovative public safety initiatives that lower crime rates and strengthen community trust through proactive data sharing and transparency?Leads with confidence and command presence, is visible within the organization, and stands behind difficult decisions?Can energize and grow a dedicated workforce while championing employee wellness and an engaged organizational culture?Values input from staff, empowers subject matter experts, and fosters a culture where employees feel supported, heard, and accountable?Builds trusted relationships with community stakeholders and diverse neighborhood groups — listening to different perspectives and identifying the path forward that best serves the community.If so, the City of Durham is seeking a confident and adaptive executive to serve as its next Chief of Police at a critical point in the department’s evolution. This is an opportunity to lead a CALEA-accredited, high-profile agency during a transformative era—growing and guiding a talented team through a shifting public safety landscape and shaping the future of policing in a premier North Carolina city. The next Chief will step into a demanding and highly visible role that requires balancing continuing progress in crime reduction, organizational stability, and community expectations. The ideal candidate will be engaged and responsive—both internally and externally—while fostering a culture where employees feel supported, valued, and heard. With a wave of new talent joining the department, the next Chief will play a key role in mentoring the next generation of leaders and building a modern, sustainable workforce.About the Community: The City of Durham is located in the Research Triangle Region of North Carolina. The City of Durham is the County seat of Durham County. The City is grounded in research and development from the region’s major research institutions, and many private and federal labs have fueled business and economic growth and have made the region a world leader in life sciences, information technology, and clean technology. Consistently ranked among the top places to live, work, and play, Durham is a magnet for talent, which helps attract innovative companies working in high-growth industries. Durham has a national reputation as the “City of Medicine,” and has long been known for world-class medical facilities, including top-ranked Duke University Medical Center, and an industry-leading pharmaceutical sector. The healthcare industry in Durham includes more than 300 medical and health-related companies and medical practices with a combined payroll that exceeds $1.2 billion annually. Durham has become a hotspot for entrepreneurs and high-tech startups, propelled by the launch of American Underground, a startup incubator, and accelerator and the Durham Innovation District, a planned, mixed-use residential/retail/lab and workspace in Downtown Durham. Durham boasts a premier performing arts center and the Durham Bulls AAA baseball team. In addition to Duke University, Durham is home to North Carolina Central University, the nation’s first public Historically Black College and University, now a major center for biotech and bio-manufacturing R&D, and Durham Technical Community College, a key partner in preparing a competitive workforce. Private investment is flourishing, redeveloping former tobacco and textile warehouses and historic buildings into exciting, mixed-use developments filled with diverse and popular housing options, restaurants, artist studios, retail spaces and small businesses. The population of the City of Durham is 317,467 and vastly diverse. Current expectations are that the population is projected to grow by 30% by 2050. Centrally located, the City of Durham is a few hours’ drive from the beautiful North Carolina coast to the East and the Appalachian Mountains to the West. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES About the Organization: The City of Durham operates under a Council/Manager form of government. The City Manager along with four Deputy and Assistant Managers lead approximately 2800 employees working across 25 departments. The City’s FY2025–26 budget totals $722 million, including a $326.5 million General Fund, with a property tax rate of 43.71 cents per $100 assessed budget prioritizes community safety, employee compensation, and core infrastructure, ensuring continued delivery of essential services, responsiveness to new demands, and responsible funding of voter-approved investments like the $200 million “Connect Durham” bond program. The City’s day-to-day management and plan for future growth is managed by its Strategic Plan?, which sets the strategic priorities for the community.A 2024 Resident Survey indicates that 84% of respondents rated the city as an excellent or good place to live, 29.7% higher than the national average, and 79% rate