Chief of Police - Haverford Township Police Department

Stewarding HTPD’s next chapterHaverford offers the opportunity to lead a respected, experienced department with deep roots in the community. The next Chief will inherit a strong foundation and the responsibility to carry it forward with care.HTPD is a close-knit organization whose officers bring substantial experience, institutional knowledge, and pride to their work. Many have built long careers serving the same communities and working alongside one another. The next Chief should take time to learn that history, recognize the contributions of current leadership and personnel, and understand the traditions that have shaped the department.The scope of service is broad—from patrol and investigations to traffic safety, emergency response, specialty capabilities, training, and community engagement. Success will depend on clear priorities, consistent communication, and a visible leadership presence. Working with the command team and supervisors, the Chief will support employees, develop future leaders, and help prepare the department for the opportunities and transitions ahead.Haverford’s 9 wards include distinct neighborhoods, schools, businesses, faith communities, and active civic organizations. Residents value HTPD and hold high expectations for safety, accessibility, and professional service. The Chief must be comfortable listening to a range of perspectives, explaining decisions clearly, and maintaining productive relationships with Township leadership and the public.This is an opportunity to steward an accomplished department: to respect what has been built, preserve the qualities that have earned community confidence, and guide HTPD’s continued growth with sound judgment, humility, and purpose.The leadership Haverford seeksHaverford seeks an accomplished police executive who will lead decisively, respect the department’s history, support employees, and prioritize community safety, crime prevention and enforcement, and traffic safety.Organizational Stewardship - Earns trust through visible leadership, fair and consistent decisions, merit-based development, and respect for departmental history.Operational And Administrative Command - Uses data and available resources (both personnel and financial) to align staffing, deployment, specialty resources, overtime, and budgets while sustaining training, accreditation, policy, and regional readiness.People And Succession - Builds strong hiring, onboarding, retention, and leadership-development systems that prepare the department for turnover and preserve institutional knowledge.Community And Governance Partnership - Maintains credibility across 9 wards and broad perspectives, communicates with empathy and authority, and works constructively with the Manager and Board.Strategic Judgment And Continuous Improvement - Diagnoses before acting, distinguishes what should change from what already works, and advances modernization at a deliberate, clearly communicated pace.Qualifications and expectationsMinimum QualificationsBachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.At least 15 years of progressively responsible full-time law enforcement experience.At least 7 years in a supervisory rank of sergeant or above.Current or previous command-level position involving department-wide administrative and operational responsibility.Preferred QualificationsMaster’s degree.At least 10 years in supervisory or command assignments.FBI National Academy, Northwestern SPSC, Southern Police Institute, or a comparable executive program.Command experience in a comparable full-service municipal agency with demonstrated command responsibility for personnel, budgets, labor relations, policy, discipline, strategic planning, accreditation, and community engagement.Terms of appointmentCompensationSalary range: $190,000–$205,000, plus a generous benefits package.Final salary will be based on qualifications and experience.Availability and PresenceFrequent evening meetings and public events are part of the role.The Chief must live within a reasonable response distance of Haverford Township.Conditions of AppointmentSuccessful completion of a comprehensive background investigation.Successful medical examination, psychological evaluation, and drug screening.Current Pennsylvania Act 120 certification, or eligibility to obtain certification within 60 days of appointment.