ABOUT THE CITY OF KEARNEY:
The City of Kearney serves to create a thriving, sustainable and desirable community.
Our core values are integrity, compassion, service, and teamwork. We are honest and transparent in our communications and operations. We treat all people with respect and dignity. We express ourselves in a genuine and honest way. We apply the laws and rules that govern us to every decision we make and every action we take. We are kind, friendly and considerate towards the community and our colleagues, regardless of their status or disagreement with us. We listen well and seek to understand before responding. We nurture and embrace differing perspectives to make better decisions. We care about our community and are sensitive to its needs. We work towards mutually beneficial solutions to get to yes for positive outcomes. We believe learning never stops and are committed to continuous improvement. We admit mistakes freely and openly so that we can learn and become better. We are passionate about helping others and making Kearney a better place to live, work and visit. We recognize and appreciate that our differences make us stronger and smarter, allowing us to do amazing things for Kearney. We question actions inconsistent with our values and provide candid, helpful, and timely feedback to our colleagues. We take responsibility for our actions and decisions and following through on our commitments and promises. We value creativity, a positive attitude and enjoying ourselves at work.
The City of Kearney is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
POSITION SUMMARY:The Police Chief provides leadership and management for the City of Kearney’s law enforcement and public safety services, including patrol operations, investigations, emergency response, and community policing. As a key member of the City Administrator’s Executive Leadership Team, the Chief ensures professional, ethical, and constitutional policing; regulatory compliance; and effective deployment of resources to meet both immediate and long-term community safety needs. The Chief leads the Police Department in delivering fair, responsive, and high-quality public safety services that protect individual rights, build community trust, and enhance the well-being and quality of life of Kearney residents.
KEY OBJECTIVES:
- Lead and develop the Police Department team to build engagement, accountability and a high-performing, values-driven culture focused on results and continuous improvement.
- Deliver professional, fair, and constitutional policing services that enhance public safety and community trust.
- Develop, evaluate, and recommend public safety policies, operational strategies, and long-range plans that align with City priorities, legal requirements, and evolving community needs.
- Manage departmental budgets responsibly, allocating resources to meet immediate needs while planning for long-term sustainability, staffing capacity, and community safety.
- Maintain compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and best practices in law enforcement.
- Maintain emergency preparedness and ensure rapid, coordinated response to emergencies, critical incidents, and public safety threats.
- Strengthen collaboration with other departments to ensure cohesive planning, coordinated service delivery, and alignment with City priorities.
- Build public trust through transparency, accountability, and responsive communication with residents and stakeholders.
- Promote continuous improvement by using departmental metrics and performance data to identify opportunities for efficiency, innovation, and service quality.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, or a related field, and ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in career law enforcement, including at least three years of supervisory, budgetary, and management responsibility; OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Licenses or Certifications: Missouri POST certification required. Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Missouri driver’s license. Command-level training or law enforcement executive leadership training required.
WORK SCHEDULE AND CONDITIONS: The Police Chief is a full-time, FLSA-exempt, executive leadership position that requires attendance at evening meetings, emergency responses, and extended hours during critical events. The position demands a high level of commitment and accountability, and the Chief is expected to work the hours necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of the role, which may exceed a standard 40-hour workweek. This is a results-driven position requiring proactive engagement, creativity, innovation, flexibility, and dedication to public service – as well as a genuine love of helping people and leaving things better than you found them. The work is challenging, fast-paced, and deeply rewarding for those motivated by making a visible difference in the community.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
The starting salary range for this position is $103k - $126k (midpoint) based on years of experience, educational background, and level of expertise.
The City of Kearney offers a comprehensive range of benefits with competitive rates, including medical, dental, and vision options, 13 paid holidays, 4 weeks paid vacation, sick time and the L-7 Missouri LAGERS retirement pension for all full-time employees. We also offer a wellness plan, tuition reimbursement, annual service awards and an Employee Assistance Program.
