Police Chief

Police Chief Opportunity In Arcadia

After 34 years of dedicated service to the Arcadia community, Chief Roy Nakamura will retire this year. As a result, the City of Arcadia is searching for the new Police Chief to join our team of collaborative leaders. In Arcadia, we believe that innovation, compassion, and action create a more effective way to serve our community. We believe our value lies in what we give, and that our employees are our greatest asset. If these values resonate with you, we encourage you to apply, especially if you are committed to building a strong, unified team and fostering meaningful collaboration across all levels of the department.

The ideal candidate is committed to fostering a strong team-based culture where partnership with staff at all levels is essential. The successful candidate will be an effective leader who can inspire and bring people together around shared goals, exercise sound judgment, hold a strong community focus, and build partnerships within the organization and throughout the community. The ideal candidate will also embrace innovative technologies and modern policing strategies to enhance operational effectiveness, improve public safety, and proactively reduce crime. The Chief will also demonstrate a commitment to The Arcadia Way: Helpful, Trustworthy, Highly Responsive, Better Together, Progressing Every Day.

Making a positive difference is a guiding principle that shapes the Police Department's decisions. The belief that every member of the Police Department has the ability to positively impact the community is entrenched at the core of the organization. The Police Chief will lead a team of forward-thinking problem solvers that are rooted in tradition. The Department's diverse team values professionalism, integrity, work ethic, positive attitude, and camaraderie. The position of Police Chief provides full management oversight of all Police Department operations, including patrol, traffic, investigations, internal affairs, K-9, communications, and support services. Through these services, our 70 sworn and 28 civilian staff share a commitment to enhance the quality of life for our residents. The position also serves the City Manager and City Council, prepares and presents staff reports, and other necessary correspondence.

If you are seeking an opportunity to make a meaningful impact through service and excellence, we invite you to join our team.

Arcadia is a charming, family-oriented community with a population of just over 57,000. Located 13 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, regional transportation networks like the Metro A Line connect Arcadia as a premier residential, shopping, and entertainment destination in the San Gabriel Valley. Arcadia is known for its top-rated schools, iconic landmarks, and serene neighborhoods. Arcadia is an award-winning community having been twice named as the best City in California in which to raise kids and has been recognized as a premiere business friendly City in Los Angeles County.

What We Offer:

• CalPERS retirement plan
• Monthly benefit contribution:
• Employee Only: $866
• Employee +1: $1,550
• Family: $2,150
• $300/month Deferred Compensation match through Empower
• City paid Vision Plan for employee and family
• City paid Life Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Long-Term Disability
• Expected salary increases of:
• 5% effective 07/01/2026
• Tuition reimbursement/advancement
• Up to 80 hours of additional Management Leave

Recruitment Process and Important Dates:

• Application Submission Deadline: Application filing period will close at 11:59 PM on Sunday, June 7, 2026
• Qualifications Appraisal Interview: Week of June 29, 2026 (Tentative)
• Secondary Panel Interview: Week of July 27, 2026 (Tentative)
• Executive Team Interview: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
• Selection Interview: Week of August 31, 2026 (Tentative)

Under general administrative direction, to plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the Police Department including patrol, traffic, investigations, internal affairs, K-9, communications, and support services; to coordinate assigned activities with other City departments and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the City Manager.

Exercises direct supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical staff.

Assume full management responsibility for all Police Department services and activities including patrol, traffic, investigations, internal affairs, K-9, communications, and support services. Manage the development and implementation of Police Department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area; establish, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; allocate resources accordingly. Continuously monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assess and monitor workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement; direct the implementation of changes. Represent the Police Department to other City departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explain and interpret Police Department programs, policies, and activities; negotiate and resolve sensitive, significant, and controversial issues. Select, train, motivate and evaluate Police Department personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures; recognize commendatory performance. Plan, direct, and coordinate, through subordinate level managers, the Police Department's work plan; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures. Manage and participate in the development and administration of the Police Department budget; direct the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; direct the preparation of and implement budgetary adjustments as necessary. Coordinate Police Department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations; maintain and facilitate public relations and cooperative working relationships with news media, schools, local organizations and the general public; attend and speak at various community functions and meetings; prepare press releases and confer with the media in matters related to assigned activities. Provide staff assistance to the City Manager and City Council; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence. Conduct a variety of organizational studies, investigations, and operational studies; recommend modifications to Police Department programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate. Review and analyze reports, legislation, court cases, and related matters; prepare initial responses for legal actions; prepare ordinances for consideration by the City Council. Participate on a variety of boards and commissions; attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of law enforcement. Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints. Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Job Related and Essential Qualifications:

Knowledge of: Operational characteristics, services and activities of a comprehensive municipal law enforcement program. Organization and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and operational needs. Modern and complex principles and practices of law enforcement program development and administration. Technical and administrative phases of crime prevention, law enforcement, and related functions including investigation, patrol, juvenile welfare, traffic control and safety, records maintenance, supplies and equipment, care and custody of persons and property, training, and communications. Principles of community-oriented policing. Law enforcement theory, principles and practices and their application to a wide variety of services and programs. Recent and ongoing court decisions and how they affect department and division operations. Functions and objectives of Federal, State, and other local law enforcement agencies. Use of firearms and other modern police equipment. Advanced principles and practices of budget preparation and administration. Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation. Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances, particularly with reference to apprehension, arrest, search and seizure, evidence and records maintenance, and traffic control. Local geography, City streets, public buildings, and businesses. Safe driving principles and practices.

Skill to: Operate firearms and other modern police equipment. Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment. Operate a motor vehicle safely.

Ability to: Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the Police Department. Develop, implement, and administer goals, objectives, and procedures for providing effective and efficient law enforcement services. Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, technical, and clerical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility. Select, supervise, train, and evaluate staff. Identify and respond to community, City Manager and City Council issues, concerns, and needs. Conceptualize community-oriented police/community programs and orchestrate their implementation. Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals. Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques. Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost effective manner. Prepare clear and concise administrative reports. Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations. Act quickly and calmly in emergencies. Meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform the assigned duties