Police Chief

Wayland Police Chief

Wayland seeks a dynamic, progressive and experienced law enforcement professional with demonstrated leadership and communication skills, who supports 21st century policing principles, community policing, and practices and enjoys interacting with the community, to serve as the next Police Chief in this engaged and active community.

The Police Chief is responsible for managing the Police Department, including all sworn police personnel, administrative, civilian staff employed by the department and dispatchers assigned to the Joint Communications Center (JCC, shared with the Fire Department). The Police Chief is appointed by, and reports to, the Town Manager, with ratification of the Select Board. The Police Chief is responsible for the overall direction and vision of the Wayland Police Department.

To learn more about Wayland, please visit the Police Search Profile.

The Organization

The Wayland Police Department has 24 full-time officers that includes its chief, one lieutenant, six sergeants, one school resource officer, three detectives, twelve patrol officers, eight dispatchers, and an administrative assistant. The department includes a bike patrol unit, a communications division, detective division, honor guard, Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council, and a patrol division. All employees are dedicated to serving the residents of and visitors of Wayland.

The Wayland Public Safety Building houses both the police and fire departments and was built in 2003. The JCC, also housed in the public safety building, serves both departments as well as the ambulance service. Neither the police nor the fire departments are part of civil service.

Patrol officers operate on a four-shifts on and two-shifts off schedule. Typically, there are two to three patrol cars with one supervisor on the road. The shift sergeant is responsible for overseeing the JCC, which includes two dispatchers. Community policing involving community interaction is important as it helps officers and residents identify and resolve problems in the community.

FINANCE: The department's operating budget for FY27 is $3.5 million. In recent years Town Meeting has voted to invest funds to replace the JCC's public safety radio system, in-car video recording equipment, and record management and dispatch system as part of the town's ongoing capital improvement plan.

MISSION: The mission of the Wayland Police Department is to serve and protect our community with integrity, professionalism, and respect. We are committed to upholding the law, ensuring public safety, and fostering positive relationships with the community we serve. Through transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement, we strive to create a safe and secure environment for all individuals, promoting justice, fairness, and equal protection under the law.

Wayland is consistently ranked one of the safest communities in the country due to its very low crime.

The ideal background and qualifications for the Wayland Police Chief include:

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree (advanced degree preferred), preferably in criminal justice, public administration, business administration, social sciences or other field relevant to 21st century policing.
• Minimum of 10 years of law enforcement experience, preferably including 5 years in a police leadership position.
• Supportive of current policing principles; experienced with community policing.
• Knowledge of Police Reform policies and practices.
• Strong leader, open to new and progressive visions of policing.
• Strong communicator, skilled at community outreach and messaging, which is a key responsibility.
• Knowledgeable of law enforcement best practices, and proven ability to create a forward-thinking law enforcement team.
• Adept at using modern technology and communication tools; employ data-driven decision-making.
• Highly adaptable and approachable; collaborative.
• Track record of being welcoming, encouraging, and engaging racial, ethnic, and gender diversity.
• Demonstrated commitment to transparency in operations.
• Person of high integrity and honesty; holds self and staff accountable; able to inspire trust and confidence.
• Skilled in team building; treat everyone fairly and equitably.
• Demonstrated strategic thinker, open to new approaches.
• Able to develop and sustain strong, credible relations with community groups, residents, and staff.

Interested applicants should send cover letters and résumés, in confidence, no later than 4:00pm on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, via email to: View email address on click.appcast.io with the Subject: Wayland Police Chief Search. Please submit a single PDF containing both cover letter and résumé.

Following the closing date, résumés will be reviewed according to the outlined qualifications. An initial interview will be scheduled with candidates that meet required qualifications. Based on these interviews candidates will be scheduled for an in-person panel interview between Tuesday, November 17 to Monday, November 23, 2026 after which a candidate will be chosen and contacted for approval to complete references and background reviews before an offer is made.

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io, or via email at View email address on click.appcast.io. The Town of Wayland is an Equal Opportunity Employer.