Chief of Police

Salary: Dependent upon qualifications and experience Application Deadline: November 12, 2026 Reports To: City Administrator

The City of Clinton is seeking an experienced, ethical, and community-focused law enforcement executive to serve as Chief of Police. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment, strong leadership, fiscal responsibility, and a commitment to public service, accountability, and constitutional policing.

Position Overview

Operating under the executive direction of the City Administrator, the Chief of Police is responsible for protecting lives and property through the leadership, administration, and supervision of the Clinton Police Department.

The Chief oversees the Department’s administrative and operational functions, including personnel, planning, budgeting, policy development, and coordination of services. The position exercises independent judgment and decision-making within applicable law, City policy, and delegated authority. The Chief may assume command of critical incidents and major police emergencies.

The City Administrator reviews the Chief’s work through conferences, written reports, and evaluation of results.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and implement departmental goals, objectives, strategic plans, and operating methods consistent with the City’s priorities.
• Direct and evaluate police operations, criminal investigations, crime prevention, traffic safety, community policing, and administrative services.
• Organize departmental functions, establish lines of authority, and recommend staffing and organizational changes to meet service demands.
• Prepare and administer the Department’s budget; evaluate fiscal needs; oversee expenditures, equipment, technology, and other resources; and pursue appropriate grant opportunities.
• Direct recruitment, selection, training, employee development, performance evaluation, and succession planning.
• Identify staffing and training needs, evaluate command and supervisory personnel, and oversee assignments, scheduling, and recommendations for promotion, transfer, recognition, or reassignment.
• Establish professional expectations and promote employee accountability, wellness, effective working conditions, and a positive organizational culture.
• Receive, review, and resolve complaints; oversee internal investigations; and administer or recommend discipline consistent with law, policy, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
• Participate in collective bargaining discussions and negotiations on the City’s behalf as assigned. Interpret and administer agreements covering sworn and civilian personnel.
• Develop, implement, and periodically review departmental policies and standard operating procedures. Identify and correct administrative and operational deficiencies.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, City ordinances, court decisions, civil service requirements, and Iowa Law Enforcement Academy standards.
• Coordinate major projects and activities across departmental units and with other City departments and public safety agencies.
• Assume command of major police emergencies and critical incidents when necessary.
• Maintain effective relationships with residents, businesses, schools, community organizations, prosecutors, and local, state, and federal partners.
• Represent the Department and City at public meetings, community events, and before boards and commissions. Deliver presentations and communicate effectively with the news media.
• Oversee departmental records and prepare clear operational, administrative, analytical, and financial reports.
• Keep the City Administrator informed of significant incidents, operational conditions, personnel matters, and recommended improvements.
• Participate as a member of the City’s management team and maintain professional, respectful working relationships.
• Perform related duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Police Science, Management, or a closely related field.
• Possess at least five years of progressively responsible experience in police administration, including at least five years of general law enforcement experience as a sworn officer in a public law enforcement agency.
• Preferred executive command experience or a Chief of Police in a comparable or smaller agency; Deputy Chief or Assistant Chief in a comparable or larger agency; or Commander, Major, or equivalent position in a comparable size city.
• Have completed at least one extended professional management or executive leadership program, such as the Senior Management Institute for Police, FBI National Academy, Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, or a comparable program.

Certification and Peace Officer Requirements

Applicants must obtain a valid Iowa peace officer certification within 1 year and maintain eligibility to serve as an Iowa peace officer throughout employment.

Applicants must meet all applicable Iowa Law Enforcement Academy standards, including:

• United States citizenship and a minimum age of 18 at appointment.
• A high school diploma or GED.
• Applicable Iowa residency requirements, subject to any lawful City ordinance exception.
• A valid Iowa driver’s license, or a qualifying license from the state of residence when legally permitted.
• Good moral character and compliance with applicable criminal history standards, including restrictions involving felonies and crimes of moral turpitude.
• Compliance with ILEA requirements concerning drug or alcohol addiction.
• Applicable medical, vision, color vision, hearing, and physical fitness standards.
• Willingness to use lawful force when necessary to perform official duties.
• No prior decertification in another jurisdiction or conduct disqualifying the applicant under applicable ILEA rules.

The successful candidate must remain legally eligible to possess firearms, maintain required firearms qualifications, and satisfy applicable continuing education, in-service training, and certification requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• A master’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Management, Police Science, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated success in community engagement, organizational improvement, employee development, and strategic planning.
• Experience administering municipal police budgets, grants, collective bargaining agreements, and civil service processes.
• Experience using crime analysis, performance measures, and technology to improve public safety services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate must demonstrate:

• Thorough knowledge of modern police administration, operations, organizational management, budgeting, personnel administration, and labor relations.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, ordinances, departmental policies, collective bargaining agreements, and police records practices.
• Ability to analyze complex problems, make sound independent decisions, resolve conflict, and remain calm during emergencies.
• Ability to lead, motivate, evaluate, and develop employees with varied backgrounds and experience.
• Ability to prepare and explain budgets, fiscal requests, policies, and analytical reports.
• Strong listening, interpersonal, public speaking, and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish productive relationships with City officials, employees, professional organizations, the news media, and the public.
• Ability to learn and apply knowledge of Clinton’s geography, demographics, and public safety needs.
• Proficiency with firearms, police vehicles, radios, computers, and other equipment necessary to perform the position’s duties.
• Commitment to respectful service, fair treatment, community participation, and professional accountability.

Selection Process

Selection will follow Iowa Code Chapter 400 and applicable Clinton Civil Service Commission procedures. The examination process will be open to qualified internal and external applicants. Appointment will be made from the chief’s civil service eligible list in accordance with Iowa Code §400.13 and applicable City requirements.

The process may include application screening, interviews, leadership assessments, reference checks, and a comprehensive background investigation. Education, certification, employment history, driving history, and criminal history will be verified.

Any conditional offer will be subject to applicable medical, psychological, drug screening, and other employment requirements. Testing requirements will reflect the applicant’s Iowa certification status, service history, and applicable ILEA rules.

Working Conditions

The Chief must be available for emergencies, critical incidents, evening meetings, community events, and other responsibilities outside regular business hours. The successful candidate must perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, and comply with applicable City residency requirements.

Compensation and Benefits

Dependent upon qualifications and experience

Application Instructions

Submit a completed City of Clinton employment application, cover letter, résumé, proof of peace officer certification, documentation of qualifying executive leadership training, and professional references to:

Sara Deters HR Generalist Clinton Police Department sdeters@cityofclintoniowa.gov

Applications must be received by November 12, 2026 at 4:00 P.M..

Pay: $115,000.00 - $125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 457(b)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Military leave
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Uniform allowance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person