Chief of Police Raleigh-Durham International Airport Authority (RDU)

About Us

Applicants should apply by November 5 2026

The Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) Authority Law Enforcement Department seeks an experienced and transformational leader with a customer service mindset to serve as its next Chief of Police .

Desired attributes include:

• The next Chief of Police will demonstrate passion and energy for achieving Authority goals while strategically and diplomatically leading the department through change in conformance with the Core Values of the organization.

• Effective in crisis management the Chief of Police must have strong communication skills with experience in patrol community policing and investigative functions of a typical law enforcement agency similar in size to RDU.

• The ideal leader will have a keen understanding of the culture of an airport law enforcement department including the high level of federal regulations and be committed to a level of quality customer service that the department is known for.

• A transparent and adaptable leader the Chief of Police will value diversity equity and inclusion and balance building camaraderie within the department while ensuring frequent engagement and collaboration with departmental personnel and stakeholders including federal state and local agencies and Airport Authority leaders.

About the Community:

The Raleigh-Durham International Airport is located at the western edge of Wake County midway between the cities of Durham and Raleigh in North Carolina. Wake County is home to 11 municipalities including the capital city of Raleigh. Accessed by I-40 and four major U.S. highways Wake County has a population over 1 million and is a thriving growing community with endless opportunities. Consistently rated as one of the best places to live and work in America Wake County offers 11 principal colleges and universities including NC State University. Wake County is also the center of state government with the Capitol Building legislature and many government offices located in the City of Raleigh. Known as the City of Oaks Raleigh ranked #2 for Safety #4 for Economic Well-being and #6 for Quality of Education and Health among all State Capitals in early 2022. Raleigh boasts more than 9000 acres of parkland and almost 1300 acres of water offering year-round recreational activities. The NHL Carolina Hurricanes Carolina Mudcats Low-A Baseball and NC FC Mens and NC Courage Womens pro soccer teams attract visitors year-round and serve as an entertainment hub for community members. From the NC Opera NC Symphony and the Carolina Ballet to three major state museums Raleighs culture is rooted in art history and natural sciences.

Neighboring Durham County with a population of 317665 and located in North Carolinas Research Triangle Region is home to Research Triangle Park and is one of the most economically competitive regions in the world. Research and development from many private and federal labs has fueled business and economic growth in Durham County and has 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. Also called the City of Medicine Durham 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 County includes more than 300 medical and health-related companies and medical practices with a combined payroll that exceeds $1.2 billion annually. More recently Durham County has become a hotspot for entrepreneurs and high-tech startups propelled by the launch of American Underground a startup incubator and accelerator.

Durham boasts a premier performing arts center and the Durham Bulls AAA baseball addition to Duke University Durham is home to North Carolina Central University the nations 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 flourishes redeveloping former tobacco and textile warehouses and historic buildings into mixed-use developments filled with trendy housing options restaurants artist studios retail spaces and small businesses. Research Triangle Park (RTP) located just 6.5 miles from the RDU Airport is a 7000-acre special county research and production district encompassed on three sides by the city of Durham with a portion in Wake County and served by a Durham postal substation. RTP houses more than 170 major research companies employing 39000 full-time employees and 10000 contract workers.

About the Organization:

The Raleigh-Durham International Airport is governed by the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority an eight-member board. The Airport Authority was established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1939. The cities of Durham and Raleigh along with Durham and Wake counties each appoint two members to the board. The Airport Authority is a local government responsible for the development operation and maintenance of RDU. The Authority is committed to delivering a world-class airport experience through excellent airport services facilities and unparalleled customer service.

Since 1938 the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority has played a central role in the growth of the Research Triangle Region. With 13 airlines RDU offers flights to a multitude of nonstop destinations on 300 daily addition to an in-house law enforcement department the Authority also has a Fire-Rescue Department under the leadership of a Chief with a deputy fire chief captain lieutenant and three fire engineers on duty 24-hours a day 365-days a year.

Additionally the Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority works closely with a number of federal agencies that have a presence at Raleigh-Durham International Airport including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). RDU is a participating airport in the U.S. CBPs Global Entry Trusted Traveler Network . This program allows U.S. citizens lawful permanent residents and pre-approved citizens of Mexico and the Netherlands an opportunity to use an automated kiosk to bypass the standard passport screening lines thereby reducing wait times.

Duties/Responsibilities

About the Department and Position:

The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Law Enforcement Department (RDULE) is a fully accredited North Carolina law enforcement agency. RDULE is responsible for ensuring visitors to Raleigh-Durham International Airport have a safe travel experience. The agencys jurisdiction extends beyond the airports terminals and includes all of the Authoritys 5000 acres of property including sections of major roadways around the airport.

The RDU Law Enforcement Department located in the Airport Operations Center building includes a staff of 89 full and part-time officers and support employees that perform a range of functions including foot and vehicle patrols investigations lost-and-found special operations traffic duties community policing and more. RDULE is headquartered in the Airport Operations Center with remote offices in each terminal. The department also includes training facilities located on airport grounds. The Chief of Police reports to civilians on the executive leadership team.

The next Chief of Police will lead a cohesive department that collaborates well with airport stakeholders in providing excellent customer service to travelers. The staff and officers of RDULE are well respected by airport employees and known for their swift response to issues reported from the operations center. Law Enforcement personnel are highly skilled and successful in adaptability and de-escalation tactics. The Chief of Police will be an adaptable servant leader who will work diligently to build and maintain relationships. Overseeing a budget of approximately $13.9 million the Chief of Police must embrace the Authoritys Core Values of Learning Integrity Team Excellence and Respect to be successful .

Key Position Priorities include but are not limited to:

• Recruit develop and retain a diverse department of qualified law enforcement professionals - leveraging internal talent and closing gaps through engaging employees in continuous training and development.

• Strategically plan for the growth of the department to support the airports growth as outlined in the Authoritys Vision 2040 while balancing the present-day demands of police personnel.

Qualifications

Qualifications :

• Requires a bachelors degree in criminal justice public administration or another relevant field. A masters degree and executive law enforcement training are preferred.
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience across functional areas such as patrol internal affairs administration investigations community policing etc.
• Six to seven years of professional management or related experience in law enforcement administration including three to four years of related tactical and administrative supervisory experience.
• Three or more years of experience working in an airport environment is required.
• Must possess applicable certification from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Commission or obtain such certification within six months of hire .
• Please note: North Carolina law does not recognize or have a reciprocal relationship with Federal law enforcement certification but recognizes and gives partial credit for military police (MP) training receipt of an MP occupational specialty classification and performance of MP duties .
• Must have a valid NC drivers license or the ability to obtain a valid NC drivers license within 60 days of relocating to NC.

  • Please note: North Carolina law does not recognize or have a reciprocal relationship with Federal law enforcement certification but recognizes and gives partial credit for military police (MP) training receipt of an MP occupational specialty classification and performance of MP duties .

• Must have a valid NC drivers license or the ability to obtain a valid NC drivers license within 60 days of relocating to NC. Experience working in an airport environment preferred.

Transfers: In-state candidates may transfer their law enforcement officer certification to another agency in NC provided he/she has less than a three-year break in service at time of -state candidates with less than a three-year break in NC service may receive partial credit toward basic law enforcement training. Out-of-state candidates who are serving or have served as a local or state law enforcement officer must have successfully completed a basic law enforcement training course accredited by the state from which they are transferring and cannot have a break in full-time service exceeding three years at the time of appointment. Individuals with Federal law enforcement officer certification who have not had a break in service exceeding three years at the time of appointment may receive partial credit toward NC basic law enforcement training. NC does recognize and give partial credit for military police (MP) training if the candidate has completed a formal military basic training program and been awarded a military police occupational specialty rating and has served as a military police officer for not less than two of the five years preceding the date of appointment.

The Successful Candidate is:

• an individual with impeccable integrity and a proven record of consistency in managing both internal and external relationships in order to develop trust and to create opportunities for collaborative problem solving strong stakeholder relationships and partnerships;

• experienced working in an airport environment and has expert skills in navigating the complexities of varying roles (e.g. need for building relationships advocating for personnel clear communication ensuring mutual trust);

• goal-oriented possessing high standards of self and others thriving in a culture of high-performance expectations and personal accountability;

• models courteous engagement and outstanding customer service with travelers while ensuring clear and firm adherence to safety principles and laws;

• experienced across functional areas such as accreditation patrol support investigations K-9 or other specialized units;

• appreciative of the significance of diversity within all aspects of the department and organization and has developed innovative solutions to attracting retaining and promoting diversity;

• consistently updating personal knowledge regarding public policy public perception and law enforcement trends and ensuring that knowledge is shared with stakeholders;

• skilled in budget development and management policy development and application progressive policing strategies and maintenance of effective service levels despite resource constraints;

• an outstanding communicator who speaks and writes clearly assertively and transparently with internal and external stakeholders;

• has a track record of public safety success that comes from a balance of engagement and enforcement; and;

• knowledgeable regarding the use of technology data-driven approaches to predict and prevent crime and community-oriented policing.

Additional Information

Salary and Benefits : Salaries are determined through a compensation calculation that evaluates experience and credentials for all positions. The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority provides an excellent benefits package including an Employee Incentive Program and participation in the North Carolina LGERS pension program. The hiring range is estimated between $131000 to $190000 but is ultimately determined based on the aforementioned calculation. The RDU International Airport provides an excellent benefits package .

To apply please visit click on the Chief of Police RDU International Airport.

• All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal (link above) NOT the airports employment application portal or any other external website.

• Resumes and cover letters are required and must be uploaded with the application.

• Applicants should apply by November 5 2026 .

• Successful semi-finalists will be invited to participate in virtual interviews and skill evaluation interviews on December 1-2 2026 . Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should they be invited to participate.

• Direct inquiries to

The RDU International Airport is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The recruitment and selection process is being managed by Developmental Associates LLC. To learn more about our selection process visit select Client Openings and scroll down to Important Information for Applicants.

Developmental Associates LLC is managing the recruitment and selection process for this position.

Required Experience:

Chief