Chief of Police

Maine’s fourth largest city, located on the southern coast and rated “Best Place to Live in Maine,” by Money Magazine in 2018, seeks its next Chief of Police.

Serving under our core values: Integrity, Respect, Service, Fairness, and Leadership, the ideal candidate is an innovative, progressive, and collaborative professional committed to community engagement, has   a community policing philosophy and supports a highly dedicated, well-trained and well–equipped, diverse team.  Maine has extraordinary quality of life: good schools, low traffic, low crime, and ready access to outstanding natural and cultural resources.  This is an opportunity to lead a premier department: South Portland Police Department (SPPD) has CALEA accreditation, service excellence, community support and is forward-thinking.  The next Chief will grow this success.

SPPD serves 25,000 residents and the businesses that employ 25,000 more across 13 square miles, with 56 sworn officers and 6 civilian staff, including a behavioral health professional.  SPPD has two divisions: Patrol & Community Services and Investigative & Support Services, which answer 36,000 calls annually and proactively address crime prevention and quality of life concerns.  Responsible for planning, directing, and leading SPPD, the Chief is a member of the senior management and reports to the City Manager.  

Applicants must have a Bachelor’s from an accredited institution with a focus on Criminal Justice, Public Administration, or Business Management, at least six years law enforcement supervisory experience (or  equivalent combination of education and experience), and knowledge of unions and the geographic region.  Candidates also must have, or be able to obtain and hold, Executive certification from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, active certification as a full-time police officer, a valid class C driver’s license and the physical ability to lead in emergency events.  Seek a candidate with experience in law enforcement operations, crime prevention, criminal investigations, and emergency planning; thorough knowledge of effective police service administration; superior ability to analyze ongoing department effectiveness, including budgets, lead training, communicate effectively, and establish strong working relationships. Proximity to the city is necessary. 

Our process may include oral board interview(s); a background check; polygraph and psychological evaluation; job performance assessment; and a community interaction event.

We offer a robust selection of employee benefits: excellent health plan with family coverage; generous retirement; dental, vision, life, short and long-term disability insurance options; flex accounts; paid time off; tuition reimbursement; and professional development opportunities.  We provide employees with strong leadership; stable employment; a family friendly workplace; and career development.  Starting pay is $71,614 - $101,892 per year, DOE, eligible for annual wage increases as approved.

To respond via email, send cover letter, relevant certifications, resume, employment application, and   three professional references to apply@southportland.org

Or mail to:

City of South Portland

Karla Giglio, Human Resources

25 Cottage Rd

South Portland, ME  04106

For employment application, job description and posting, or to complete application as a pdf, go online to:

https://www.southportland.org/departments/human-resources/job-opportunities/

FMI: Stephanie Weaver, HR Director, sweaver@southportland.org or (207) 767-7667.

Responses due by 4pm, Friday, September 13, 2019.