Lead. Serve. Shape the future of public safety.
The Wilmington Police Department is accepting applications for
two executive leadership positions — Assistant Chief of Police Chief and Deputy Chief of Police - offering a unique opportunity to help shape the department’s strategic direction, operational excellence, and community partnerships. Qualified applicants may be considered for
either position under this recruitment, depending on experience, skills, and departmental needs.
Learn more about this opportunity here
Assistant Chief of Police
The purpose of this position is to assist the Chief of Police in the overall management and administration of the department. Duties include assisting in planning, staffing and succession planning, directing all police operations, and oversight of all police-community enhancement projects. This is accomplished by collaborating with other local, state, regional and federal law enforcement agencies as well as other city departments, acting in the absence of the Chief of Police, attending meetings, responding to major scenes, and completing personnel actions. Other duties include developing goals, objectives and priorities, organizing and assigning projects, managing budgets and special programs, developing new rules and regulations, and serving on committees.
Typical Tasks:
- Manages oversight and coordination of all police operations by scheduling and developing strategic initiatives, policies and procedures, identifying and scheduling training, and reviewing, recommending and/or completing all personnel actions.
- Develops partnerships by establishing and enhancing relationships with local, state, and federal agencies, serves as a liaison to other city departments, ensuring effective and efficient service delivery and program opportunities, preparing and delivering presentations to community groups and agencies, and serving on boards and committees.
- Reviews departmental budget requests to ensure they align with strategic objectives by forecasting revenues and expenditures, identifying staffing needs, developing and presenting projects, presenting proposals for approval, authorizing payments and monitoring expenditures for recommended adjustments.
- Oversees training activities by researching and reviewing objectives for training, participating in qualifications, attending conferences, mentoring subordinate personnel, and maintaining communications.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public safety, or a related field, supplemented by ten (10) years of progressively responsible supervisory/management experience in a municipal police department, state, or federal law enforcement agency, including a minimum of two (2) years’ experience as a Police Captain or equivalent..
- Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain within sixty (60) days of hire.
- Work requires advanced skills and knowledge in approaches and systems, which affect the design and implementation of major programs and/or processes organization wide. Independent judgment and decision-making abilities are necessary to apply technical skills effectively.
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Deputy Chief of Police
The purpose of this position is to assist the Chief of Police and Assistant Chief of Police in the management and administration of the department. This is accomplished by managing an assigned police bureau, attending meetings, responding to major scenes, completing personnel actions, and working with other law enforcement agencies. Other duties include developing goals, objectives and priorities, organizing and assigning projects, managing budgets and special programs, developing new rules and regulations, and serving on committees.
Typical Tasks:
- Manages staff by scheduling and assigning tasks and projects, researching and developing strategic initiatives, policies and procedures, identifying and scheduling training, and reviewing, recommending and/or completing all personnel actions.
- Develops partnerships by establishing and enhancing relationships with local, state, and federal agencies, ensuring city departments and police work collaboratively on service delivery and program opportunities, preparing and delivering presentations to community groups and agencies, and serving on boards and committees.
- Prepares and administers the annual budget for assigned bureau by forecasting revenues and expenditures, identifying staffing needs, developing and presenting projects, presenting proposals for approval, authorizing payments and monitoring expenditures for recommended adjustments.
- Identifies and participates in training by researching and reviewing objectives for training, participating in qualifications, attending conferences, mentoring subordinate personnel, and maintaining communications.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public safety, or a related field, supplemented by ten (10) years of progressively responsible supervisory/management experience in a municipal police department, state, or federal law enforcement agency, including a minimum of one (1) year experience as a Police Captain or equivalent.
- Valid North Carolina Class C Driver’s License, or the ability to obtain within sixty (60) days of hire.
- Work requires advanced skills and knowledge in approaches and systems, which affect the design and implementation of major programs and/or processes organization wide. Independent judgment and decision-making abilities are necessary to apply technical skills effectively.
The following is a summary of the steps in the recruitment process:
Step 1: Completion of City of Wilmington online application.
Step 2: Screening will be facilitated by an outside vendor (against job qualifications).
Step 3: Assessment center will be conducted by outside vendor tentatively April 15-17, 2026
Steps 4-7 are completed once a conditional job offer has been given.
Step 4: Polygraph
Step 5: Psychological Evaluation
Step 6: Medical/Drug Screening
Step 7: Final Offer of Employment after an online application is submitted to the City of Wilmington Human Resources Department, it will be forwarded to the Wilmington Police Department Professional Development Unit.
**All applicants must complete an online Wilmington Police Department application and attach a Cover Letter and Resume in order to be considered. The PAS Consulting Group is assisting the city in the selection process of these positions. Candidates must successfully complete the entire recruitment process to include: assessment center; interviews; background investigation; polygraph; psychological evaluation; and medical examination with drug screen.**
Please visit the Police Department website to view a list of Employment Disqualifiers.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Exerting up to 20 lbs. occasionally; 10 lbs. frequently; or negligible amounts constantly; OR requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
This position generally requires work indoors/office setting. Some outdoor work may be necessary for particular events.
