The City of Topeka is seeking a dedicated and visionary Police Chief to lead its police  department into a future marked by innovation, community engagement, and  unwavering integrity. 

Ideally situated along the Kansas River, Topeka is the capital of Kansas, covering 61.45  square miles, and is located along I-70, approximately 60 miles from Kansas City. The City  is home to nearly 125,500 residents and is part of a metro area comprising the counties  of Shawnee, Jackson, Jefferson, Wabaunsee, and Osage. Topeka is the fifth largest city in  Kansas, behind Wichita, Overland Park, Olathe, and Kansas City, and is the seat of  Shawnee County. Residents of Topeka enjoy a high quality of life, exceptional services and  amenities.  

The City operates under a council-manager form of government and is governed by a  mayor — elected at large — and nine council members elected from districts, each serving  four-year terms with no term limits. 

With a team of 373 public servants and an annual budget of nearly $50.4 million, the  Police Department maintains safety and prevents criminal activity throughout the City of  Topeka. In addition to the department’s Executive Bureau maintaining TPD’s overall integrity and security, major divisions include Criminal Investigation, Field Operations,  and Community Outreach. 

Working under the supervision of the Deputy City Manager, the Chief of Police is  ultimately responsible for every facet of the operation of the Topeka Police Department. 

Topeka’s new Chief of Police must first focus on building trust and relationships internally  and externally as they get to know the community and settle in. Then, they should be  ready to get to work assessing the department’s policies, programs, staffing, training, and  more. 

This critical role demands a seasoned leader with a servant-leadership style, extensive  experience across various facets of law enforcement, including patrol, investigations,  administration, training, and community engagement, and a strong commitment to  transparent and effective communication. 

This role requires graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s  degree in criminal justice, public or business administration, political science, or a related  field with advanced courses in police administration and/or a master’s degree preferred.  

Candidates should also have at least 15 years of law enforcement experience, including 5 at the rank of captain or higher in a similar-sized or larger agency. The selected candidate must be certified as a State of Kansas Police Officer or be able to obtain the Kansas  Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training within six months and continue to  meet all training standards throughout their tenure. A valid Kansas driver’s license or the  ability to obtain one within 6 months is also required, and the new chief must meet the  City’s insurability standards.  

Please note that the selected candidate must establish residency within Shawnee County  within 1 year of their hire date. 

The City of Topeka is offering a competitive salary for this position, up to $175,000,  depending on experience and qualifications. 

Please apply online at https://www.governmentresource.com/recruitment-employers/open recruitments/topeka-ks-police-chief

First review of applications: October 10, 2024  

For more information on this position, contact:  

Troy Riggs, Senior Vice President  
TroyRiggs@governmentresource.com 
361-445-9496