Chief of Police City of Florence, SC

Chief Of PoliceAre you a law enforcement professional who excels at building relationships and fostering collaboration across departments, agencies, and the community? Leads with transparency, empathy, and humilitysupporting officers while remaining approachable and relatable? Embraces innovation and technology to advance modern, effective policing practices? Understands South Carolina law and values strong partnerships with County and State Law Enforcement Departments? If so, becoming the next Chief of Police for the City of Florence, South Carolina, may be the career move for you. Located in the northeastern part of the state, Florence is seeking an experienced, forward-thinking, and people-centered Chief who embodies integrity, accountability, and approachability.As a role model for the State-accredited department, the next Chief will provide strong internal leadership by mentoring officers, fostering a culture of trust and accountability, and ensuring fair and consistent enforcement of policies. They will also guide key departmental initiatives such as succession planning, standardized promotions, and modernization of operational policiesincluding pursuit and Taser protocolswhile utilizing technology, including AI, to enhance efficiency and crime prevention.The next Chief of Police will lead the department through a period of growth and transformation as Florence continues to expand through annexations, increasing the size and complexity of its policing needs. A top priority will be strengthening recruitment and retention through strategies such as offering sign-on bonuses, partnering with community colleges to attract new talent, and expanding training and professional development to boost morale, performance, and service delivery.The ideal candidate will actively engage with residents, youth, and underserved populations to strengthen relationships and build trust in law enforcement. Serving as a present, hands-on leader, the next Chief will guide the department with vision, fairness, and a commitment to community-centered policingensuring Florence remains a safe, inclusive, and thriving city.The City of Florence operates under a Council-Manager form of government, and the Council is composed of a Mayor and six council members. The City of Florence employs a manager to act as chief administrator of the Council's policies, and to the extent possible, separate the policymaking function from the administrative function. The City has a mission to be proactive in providing "timely, effective, and fiscally responsible municipal services to elevate the quality of life in our city and region." These actions are carried out through the values of collaboration, professionalism, and ownership.The City of Florence Police Department is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone who lives, works, and visits the city. The Department is committed not only to stopping crime but also to helping citizens reduce and, whenever possible, eliminate crime in their communities. Through a strong focus on Community-Oriented Policing, officers work closely with residents, neighborhood watch groups, local civic organizations, and businesses to foster open communication and collaborative problem-solving. The department implements community-oriented policing throughout the entire organization, with strategies such as fixed officer assignments to districts, directed patrols targeting specific offenses, downtown foot patrols, and problem-oriented policing aimed at recurring issues like illegal drug activity.In addition, the department offers a variety of community programs to engage and support citizens, including the Citizens Police Academy, Neighborhood Watch Programs, the Chief's Citizen Advisory Board, a Victim Assistance Program, code enforcement initiatives, and citizen surveys to identify community needs and priorities. The department is organized into five specialized divisions: Administrative Services, Community Relations, Patrol Services, Support Services, and Investigative Services. Each division plays a vital role in fulfilling the department's objective to be proactive in addressing community needs while delivering high-quality service to every individual.Reporting to the City Manager, the Chief of Police provides overall leadership and strategic direction for the department, overseeing all activities and functions to ensure effective, professional, and community-focused law enforcement. This includes developing and implementing departmental goals, objectives, policies, and procedures, as well as supervising key operations such as community-oriented policing, patrol, criminal investigations, professional standards, training, crime prevention, traffic enforcement, animal control, the Real Time Crime Center, and the chaplaincy program. The Chief is also responsible for preparing and administering the department's annual budget, supporting the city's short- and long-term planning goals, and ensuring compliance with evolving legal, regulatory, and technological standards in law enforcement.The Chief manages the department's $12.8M budget and oversees the department's 115 full-time and 19 part-time personnel, including five direct reports: Patrol Services Captain, Support Services Captain, Administrative Services Captain, Investigative Services Captain, and Community Relations Commander.Key Position Priorities:Renew commitment to Community-Oriented Policing, working to combat crime through a variety of techniques and relationships that enhance community safety while holding officers accountable for proactive engagement and problem-solving.Implement strategies to address staffing shortages, reduce burnout, ensure consistent evaluation and promotion, develop excellent professional development initiatives, and strengthen internal communication to attract outstanding staff and improve retention and maintain a motivated, professional workforce.Continue implementing the City Council approved crime plan to bring back the Community Policing Team (CPT); create incentives for members of the police force to live inside high-crime neighborhoods, utilize advanced technology to assist in crime prevention, bring back Camp F.E.V.E.R. as "Camp Carraway" in memory of Sergeant Terrence Carraway, crack down with strict enforcement on businesses where criminal activity is occurring with a very high incidence.Enhance partnerships with community stakeholders, including residents, youth, business owners, the Sheriff's Office, nonprofits, and social services, to ensure public trust in the department.Qualifications:Bachelor's degree from a four (4) year college or university is required and five (5) years or more of command or supervisory experience in the rank of captain or above in a police department serving a population of the same size or larger. Graduate of the FBI National Academy, Southern Police Institute, or other nationally accredited Command College is preferred. Master's degree in a related field is preferred. The ideal candidate is self-aware, has excellent communication abilities, and has demonstrated experience managing budgets and organizational resources. While prior experience as a police chief is preferred, candidates with significant command-level experience will be considered.The Successful Candidate is:A visible and approachable leader who builds trust and meaningful relationships across all levelsfrom officers and city staff to residents, civic groups, and regional partnerscollaborating effectively with the City Manager, Sheriff's Office, and other agencies to strengthen public safety and advance community-oriented policing.A hands-on presence during critical incidents, including officer-involved shootings, major crimes, protests, and natural disasters, showing empathy, accessibility, and steady guidance.Committed to transparency, fairness, and accountability, demonstrating consistency in leadership, decision-making, and discipline while setting high expectations for self and others.An innovative and forward-thinking leader who embraces technology, including AI and modern policing tools, and is willing to challenge "the way things have always been done" to improve policing, morale, and community outcomes.Trusting and empowering, fostering accountability and confidence within the department while building meaningful relationships across Florence's diverse community.A personable, humble, and adaptable communicator who listens actively, admits mistakes, values the input of those directly impacted by decisions, and fosters trust, collaboration, and confidence among department staff, community members, and partner organizations.A dedicated servant-leader who prioritizes patrol presence, community engagement, and a "cop mindset," understanding the realities of policing on the street while remaining innovative, open-minded, and committed to continuous improvement.Actively engaged with youth, underserved populations, and the broader community, proactively working to prevent crime, strengthen relationships, and build trust and confidence in law enforcement.Deeply committed to both community policing and officer well-being, recognizing that effective public safety starts with taking care of the people who serve.Salary and Benefits: The hiring range for the position is $130,000-$150,000, commensurate with education and experience. The City of Florence offers a comprehensive benefits package, which can be viewed on its website. The Police Chief is required to establish residency within the corporate limits of the City within a period of twelve (12) months from the date of employment.To apply, please visit https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/developmentalassociates and click on the Chief of Police City of Florence, SC title. All applications must be submitted online via the Developmental Associates application portal (link above) NOT the city's employment application portal or any other external website. Resumes and cover letters must be uploaded with the application. Applicants should apply by December 15, 2025, to be considered during the first round of reviews. The hiring team will invite successful semi-finalists to participate in virtual interviews and skill evaluations on January 15-16, 2025. Candidates are encouraged to reserve these dates for virtual meetings should they be invited to participate, as these dates