The police chief is the leader of the police and the one who sets their goals.
As the main law enforcement official in a city, town, or other municipality, a police chief is responsible for directing the police force. The ultimate responsibility of this person, also known as the chief of police, is to protect the public and public property. To fulfill this role, he supervises the officers that make up the city’s police force. This person also sets the mission and direction of the police department and sets its goals.
Some police chiefs are elected officials.
The duties of police chiefs vary widely depending on the size and demographics of the area in which they operate. A primary responsibility is usually the management of departmental operations and the budget. In small towns, he or she may be the only paid police officer, so patrolling and other hands-on policing duties will be paramount. In large cities, the chief of police may oversee thousands of police officers and civil servants and manage an extremely large budget. He or she often spends most of the day in meetings, discussing criminal matters and departmental management concerns.
The chief of police is responsible for ensuring the maintenance of police vehicles.
Hiring, firing, and disciplining officers and other personnel is also typically the chief of police’s job. Establishing and overseeing development programs for youth volunteers and citizens, such as neighborhood watchmen or police scouts, also falls under the umbrella of the job. He or she may also be responsible for ensuring that the department’s police cars and other equipment are in good working order and for coordinating other department assets. The formation of gang and graffiti combat plans and the implementation of anti-terrorism task forces are other examples of their activities.
A police chief may focus on gang activity and graffiti.
Police chiefs are usually appointed by the mayor, city manager, city council, or other city official. Sometimes they are chosen, depending on the location. They are often expected to attend city council and city administration meetings to report on issues and events related to their departments.
Senior officials also interact with various other city departments in their daily jobs. They work closely with fire departments to provide emergency services, as well as with public works, maintenance, and transportation departments.
A police chief organizes responses to protesters.
Other titles for a police chief include police officer, police chief, and police commissioner. In the United States, sheriff is also a title for the head of a police organization, although the functions of the chief of police and the sheriff are different because the chief of police is usually appointed and the sheriff is elected by the people.