Chief of Police

Gunnison, CO
Gunnison Police Department

Salary: $131,700 to $162,367.

Closing Date: September 22, 2024.

Essential Functions:

  • The next chief of police is an experienced leader, who appreciates Gunnison as a rural community. Politically astute but apolitical, the ideal candidate has servant leadership skills that foster an open, trusting, and welcoming work environment. She or he is approachable, transparent, and emotionally intelligent, with an appropriate blend of confidence and humility, and with a heart of service.
  • The successful candidate will be a decisive, critical thinker and a solution-oriented person, with unassailable integrity and the highest ethical standards, a person of character. The next chief has a strong moral compass and effectively balances liabilities, policies, and safety for all. Summarized, the ideal candidate has character,
    competence, and heart to meet the community’s needs.
  • The ideal candidate has expertlevel outward- and inward-facing communications skills, both oral
    and written, including the ability to communicate to broad audiences, to give presentations to the public
    and city council, and to connect with people from all walks of life.
  • The successful candidate will foster and maintain positive, mutually beneficial relationships with all law enforcement and public safety agencies at the local, regional, and state levels, as well as at WCU.
    The next chief will do their part to be a highly effective member of the leadership team, supporting
    the city manager, avoiding silos, and fostering strong relationships with every team member.
  • The ideal candidate is adaptive, compassionate, and leads by example.

Requirements:

  • A bachelor’s degree, certification as a Colorado police officer, or the ability to obtain certification,
    as mandated by the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and
  • Training (POST) Board, acceptable background and screening (per policy manual), and at least 10 years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience are required.
  • Experience should include senior executive assignments, leadership in community policing, and crime
    reduction initiatives, as well as experience in an active model of rural, community-led, problemsolving policing.
  • Successful completion of the FBI’s National Academy, Northwestern University’s Command School, the Police Executive Research Forum’s (PERF’s) Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP), the Southern Police Institute (University of Louisville), or other comparable leadership programs is preferred.
  • A deep commitment to transparency with a proven track record of building trust and effective relationships in
    the community is non-negotiable.