Deputy Chief of Police

Salary : $115,071.84 - $166,854.27 Annually
Location : 3600 Tremont Rd, Upper Arlington, OH 43221, OH
Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: PD-2026
Department: Police
Opening Date: 08/27/2026
Closing Date: 9/25/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


Description

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES :
As part of the Police Division, reporting directly to the Chief of Police, the Deputy Chief of Police provides executive-level leadership and support to the Chief of Police, overseeing the overall management of the assigned sub-divisions of the division of police. This role involves supervising command staff and other personnel, managing functions, programs, and activities, and reinforcing the division's community-oriented policing efforts and state and national accreditation. The Deputy Chief acts in times of critical incidents, providing material support, direction, and assistance in response, mitigation, and the timely provision of support and care of staff. The Deputy Chief also collaborates with various agencies, develops policies, and manages community relations, community outreach and special events.

Examples of Duties
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS : For purposes of 42 USC 12101:

1. Supervises assigned staff under the direction of the Police Chief (leads, motivates, and collaborates with employees; identifies strengths and areas of improvement; assigns and directs work; appraises and evaluates performance; addresses complaints and resolves problems).
2. Assists the Chief with directing the day-to-day operations, providing direction and oversight for assigned operational and administrative functions of the department in accordance with City policies, rules, and regulations (e.g., City Personnel Rules, Civil Service Commission Rules, Police Division Rules and Regulations, Active Collective Bargaining Agreements, OSHA Regulations, HIPPA, etc.).
3. Supports the development and implementation of short, medium, and long-range goals, objectives, and strategic initiatives; assists in the development of the department's annual operating budget and recommends budgetary needs for assigned areas; monitors and administers approved budgets within assigned areas of responsibility; oversees administrative and fiscal activities as delegated, including review and approval of payroll, overtime, and employee leave requests in accordance with established policies and approval authority; administers collective bargaining agreement and participates in applicable labor relation activities.
4. Participates in and supports field training, remedial training, retention, and succession-development efforts for division personnel in coordination with division supervisors, training staff, Human Resources, Civil Service, and the appointing authority.
5. Serves as a mentor and coach to subordinates on all issues (e.g., career development); conducts inquiries into complaints of misconduct in the performance of duty by a division member; takes steps to correct problems as outlined in divisional procedures; maintains ethical and professional standards of conduct of police division employees.
6. Provides command-level leadership during major events, emergencies, or critical incidents, including serving as Incident Commander or in another assigned Incident Command System role. Demonstrates deep understanding and continued education on Emergency Operations Center (EOC) practices.
7. Supports and reinforces the division's commitment to accreditation standards as a management model; ensures reports, analyses, reviews, audits, inventories, and related materials prepared contain relevant, actionable information to support informed decision-making and resource deployment.
8. Directs patrol, investigative, and other law enforcement activities such as enforcing laws, protecting citizens and their property, responding to requests for assistance, administering first aid, conducting searches, arresting suspects, etc.
9. Engages in community-oriented policing and supports the division's community engagement activities, establishes and maintains partnerships with external agencies, attends community events; promotes public understanding of divisional policies and procedures through frequent interactions with community members and/or groups;
10. Collaborates with and communicates important operational, administrative, and strategic information to the Mayor, City leadership, the Chief of Police, and other stakeholders as appropriate. Attends and participates in staff meetings, city council meetings, and meetings with the City Manager; reports project progress periodically.
11. Maintains licenses and certifications as required, if any.
12. Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance.
13. Meets all job safety requirements and all applicable OSHA safety standards that pertain to essential functions.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

14. Performs other duties as required. (5%)

Typical Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS : Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field (preferred) and four (4)or more years of progressively responsible experience; candidates must have at least one (1) year of experience in a management capacity in a comparably sized or larger police agency; or any combination of training, education, or experience which provides the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS : Completion of Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Course; Annual Weapons certification; valid State of Ohio Driver's License and the ability to maintain insurability under the City's vehicle insurance policy.

Supplemental Information

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES : (* indicates developed after employment).
Knowledge of:

• *Applicable laws, regulations, City policies, procedures, and requirements including Ohio Ethics law and Public Records law;
• workplace safety;
• government structure and process;
• budgeting;
• purchasing;
• interviewing;
• intake procedures;
• LEADS computer operations;
• public safety radio dispatching procedures;
• 911 terminal operating procedures;
• two-way radio operations;
• traffic control;
• criminology;
• investigation techniques;
• arrest procedures;
• law enforcement procedures and methods;
• techniques of collection and preservation of evidence;
• federal, state, and local laws;
• law enforcement administration;
• surveillance techniques;
• search and seizure;
• security practices and procedures;
• uniform criminal recording codes;
• criminal justice;
• criminal law;
• labor relations;
• personnel administration;
• government operations;
• public administration;
• public relations;
• media relations;
• records management;
• supervisory principles and practices;
• staff planning;
• employee training and development;
• project management.

Skill in:

• computer operation;
• use of modern office equipment;
• motor vehicle operation;
• operation and care of firearms;
• use or operation of police equipment;
• use of restraint devices.

Ability to

• interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, picture, or schedule form;
• deal with many variables and determine specific action;
• recognize unusual or threatening conditions and take appropriate action;
• apply management principles to solve City problems;
• ability to read, interpret, and administer collective bargaining agreement;
• exercise independent judgment and discretion;
• understand, interpret, and apply laws, rules, or regulations to specific situations;
• determine material and equipment needs;
• complete routine forms;
• prepare routine correspondence;
• prepare accurate documentation;
• compile and prepare reports;
• write instructions and specifications;
• use proper research methods to gather data;
• respond to routine inquiries from public and/or officials;
• conduct effective interviews;
• communicate effectively;
• train or instruct others;
• understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications;
• maintain records according to established procedures;
• answer routine telephone inquiries;
• prepare and deliver presentations;
• handle sensitive inquiries from and contacts with officials and general public;
• develop and maintain effective working relationships;
• resolve complaints;
• travel to and gain access to work site;
• subdue and/or restrain suspects;
• maintain fitness standards.

EQUIPMENT USED: The following are examples only and are not intended to be all inclusive.
Standard business office equipment, motor vehicle, firearms, handcuffs and other restraint devices, speed measuring devices, fire extinguishers, breath testing devices, department vehicles, pepper spray, computer crime scene equipment, police radio, data communication equipment, drug testing kits.

INHERENTLY HAZARDOUS OR PHYSICALLY DEMANDING WORKING CONDITIONS :
The employee has exposure to chemical compounds found in an office environment (e.g., toner, correction fluid, etc.); uses or works in proximity to the use of firearms; works in or around crowds; has contact with potentially violent or emotionally distraught persons or life threatening situations; has exposure to fire, hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy weather conditions; exposure to hazardous driving conditions; occasionally lifts, carries, pushes, and/or pulls objects 30 lbs. or less.
Note: In accordance with the U.S. Department of Labor physical demands strength ratings, this is considered sedentary to light work.

CITY VALUES :
Incumbent must model the following established city values: Teamwork/Collaboration, Integrity, Service, Leadership, Communication, Growth, Professionalism & Ethics.
The City of Upper Arlington offers an extensive benefits package. Benefits include:

• Paid Leave: Vacation, Sick, Personal, Holidays, Bereavement
• Health Insurance: Choice between Traditional PPO plan and High Deductible Plan with a Health Savings Account
• Dental Insurance with Delta Dental of Ohio
• Vision Insurance with EyeMed
• Group Term Life Insurance with option to purchase supplemental coverage
• Service Credit Compensation
• Deferred Compensation Savings Plans
• Bob Crane Community Center Membership - Employee Fringe Benefit
• Wellness Program
• Employee Assistance Program

01


Do you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Public Administration, or a related field?

• Yes
• No

02


Please describe your progressively responsible experience, including the types of roles you have held and the length of time in each role.
03


Please describe your management experience within a police agency, including the size of the agency, your level of responsibility, and the number of employees or functions you supervised.
04


Have you completed the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training course?

• Yes
• No

05


Have you completed an annual weapons certification course?

• Yes
• No

Required Question