The City of Rockville, MD, is seeking an experienced law enforcement leader to serve as the next Chief of the Rockville City Police Department.
About The Rockville City Police Department
The Rockville City Police Department (RCPD) is committed to providing effective, fair, impartial, and unbiased community policing that serves the expectations of the law and everyone in the Rockville community. RCPD is committed to building and maintaining trust in partnership with the Rockville community.
RCPD is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) and works closely with numerous professional organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Maryland Chiefs of Police Association, and the Department of Justice. RCPD also collaborates with local and national universities as well as with private research entities and governmental think tanks, such as the Police Executive Research Forum and the National Institute of Justice.
The City of Rockville, MD is seeking an experienced law enforcement leader to serve as the next Chief of the Rockville City Police Department. About The Rockville City Police Department CHIEF OF POLICE City of Rockville, MD For a closer look at RCPD’s recent work and the department’s progress in meeting the goals and objectives for the coming year, please see the RCPD 2023 Annual Police Report.
About The City and Community of Rockville
The City of Rockville, founded in 1860, has operated under the Council-Manager form of government since 1948. Rockville’s governing body consists of an independently elected Mayor and six Councilmembers, all of whom are elected at large every four years. The Mayor and Council adopted a fiscal year 2025 operating and capital budget of $168.3 million. The total number of full time equivalent (FTE) positions in the FY 2025 operating budget equals 653.5.
Rockville, population 67,117, is Maryland’s fourth largest city, comprising 13.5 square miles. It is located 15 miles northwest of the nation’s capital along the I-270 corridor. Rockville has been rated among the best places to live in America. The City serves as the County seat of Montgomery County, one of the most affluent and well-educated counties in the United States. Rockville embraces diverse cultures and an engaged community. Recent data from the 2020 Census indicates that the City continues to reflect the growing diversity of the metropolitan Washington region with large Asian, Hispanic, and African American populations.
Personal finance website WalletHub ranked Rockville eighth overall and fourth among small cities for its ethnic diversity. More than one-third of Rockville’s 67,117 residents were born outside of the U.S., and four of the top 10 most diverse cities in the country are in Montgomery County, Maryland. WalletHub also named Rockville and the Montgomery County cities of Germantown, Gaithersburg, and Silver Spring among the top ten most ethnically diverse cities in the U.S.
Rockville serves as a residential, employment, and economic center for Montgomery County. Its location on the Red Line of the DC Metro system makes it a major draw for employers and residents.
The City has a well-developed transportation network that provides easy access to the metropolitan area. Two strategically located Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority rail stations are located in the City and two additional Metro subway stations are located just outside its border. The City is also within easy driving distance of the Thurgood Marshall International, Ronald Reagan National, and Dulles International airports. In 2022, Money magazine ranked the City of Rockville as one of the best U.S. cities to live in.
With 67 parks, the City of Rockville has a demonstrated commitment to access to open natural spaces for all residents. Rockville’s treasured parks offer a range of amenities, including playgrounds, sports fields, and pavilions. These parks are also the backdrop for hiking trails, wildlife sanctuaries, and public art. The City also maintains fully-fenced dog parks complete with tables and benches.
At the heart of downtown Rockville is the Rockville Town Square, a mixed-use area in the heart of Rockville with pedestrian-friendly streets, restaurants, and stores; the Rockville Memorial Library; and the Arts and Innovation Center. The City is also home to the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre; its own ballet company, chorus, band, and youth orchestra; and VisArts, a hub for artistic exploration and social impact.
About the Chief of the Rockville City Police Department
Committed to Community. Dedicated to the Department. The City of Rockville is seeking a Police Chief who is deeply committed to fostering strong, collaborative relationships between the department and the community. The ideal candidate will prioritize community engagement, actively partnering with residents, businesses, and organizations to enhance public safety and promote shared responsibility in addressing local needs with a focus on transparency, accountability, and innovation. An active contributor to the City Manager’s Executive Leadership Team, the Chief will work to ensure that law enforcement efforts align with the values and priorities of the community.
Leadership Priorities of the RCPD Chief:
- Providing Strategic Leadership and Vision
- Implementing Modern Community Policing Practices
- Creating a Culture of Integrity and Accountability
- Promoting Community Engagement
- Managing Department Operations
- Equitably Facilitating the Development of Sworn and Civilian Personnel
Equally dedicated to the well-being and professional development of department staff, the Chief will cultivate a supporting and inclusive workplace culture. The Chief will prioritize providing sworn and civilian personnel with the resources to excel in their roles while fostering a sense of teamwork, fairness, and pride in service. The Chief will embody a forward-thinking approach to both policing and management, inspiring confidence and belonging at every level of the department.
The salary range for this position is $134,938 – $222,810 annually. The offer will be commensurate with the selected candidate’s experience.
Position Qualifications
The qualified candidate for the position of Chief of Police will have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice or a closely related field and seven (7) years of progressively responsible supervisory police agency experience, including staffing, community relations, crime investigation, budgeting, planning, training, research, analysis, and crime prevention strategies. At least five (5) years of experience must have been in an administrative and managerial capacity with program responsibility.
A master’s degree in criminal justice or a closely related field may be substituted for two years of the non-administrative, non-managerial experience.
In alignment with the responsibilities of this position, the qualified candidate will also have the following skills, experience, and attributes:
- In-depth understanding and knowledge of modern policing practices
- In-depth understanding of state and federal laws, regulations, policies pertaining to law enforcement, homeland security, and public safety
- Demonstrated appreciation for and ability to effectively lead a diverse workforce
- Experience in creating a positive work culture based on integrity, trust, and fairness
- Strong strategic vision and planning abilities
- High ethical standards and integrity
- Effective approach to problem-solving and decision-making
- Experience as an effective operational administrator
Additional Requirements
The following certifications and licenses are requirements for this position:
- Certification as a police officer in the State of Maryland or ability to obtain such certification within a year of employment
- An appropriate driver’s license valid in the State of Maryland
Position Profile
City of Rockville MD Chief of Police Position Profile.pdf
