Chief of Police – City of Dunn

Are you a law enforcement professional who:

If so becoming the City of Dunns nextChief of Policein an accredited agency may be the career move for you. The city located about 30 miles southwest of Raleigh is seeking anexperienced community-mindedChief of Policewho leads with integrity accountability and compassion. The ideal candidate will bring a collaborative leadership style strengthen the departments visibility and connection with the community and foster a culture of professionalism fairness and trust. This individual will set a clear vision for the department lead by example and model the high standards expected of all staff.

The nextChiefwill proactively address crime maintain operational excellence and promote an environment of teamwork equity and accountability. As a visible and approachable leader the ideal candidate will actively engage with residents businesses and community organizations to build trust and strengthen relationships. They will approach challenges with fairness and transparency address diversity and equity issues thoughtfully and demonstrate a deep commitment to ensuring that every resident feels safe and respected.

About the Community:

Dunn is a small but growing city in Harnett County with a population of around 8500. Its location along the I-95 corridor provides easy access to larger cities while maintaining the charm and affordability of small-town living. The city is racially and culturally diverse with a mix of long-time residents and newcomers drawn to its community atmosphere and lower cost of living compared to larger urban areas. The median household income is around $47310 and about 18.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Housing is affordable with a mix of single-family homes apartments and historic properties.

Dunn offers a strong sense of community with local events festivals and civic activities that bring residents together. TheNC Cotton Festival held annually on the first Saturday in November celebrates the regions rich cotton-farming heritage. This family-friendly event offers live music on two stages food and craft vendors cotton gin tours a car show and kid-friendly activities like rides and Kidz Land. The charming and historic downtown district features local shops offering boutique clothing home décor and artisan goods eateries and distinctive architecture. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy theDunn-Erwin Rail Trail a scenic multi-mile path ideal for walking biking or simply enjoying nature along a former rail line as well as Rhodes Pond which offers opportunities for fishing canoeing and photography.

The city has a diverse range of parks and recreational facilities designed to meet the needs of residents and visitors alike.Tart Park is a standout destination featuring well-maintained walking trails that wind through scenic green spaces along with playgrounds and picnic areas perfect for families and gatherings. TheDr. P.K. Vyas Recreation Center provides both indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities and serves as the hub for the citys Recreation & Parks Department which manages multiple parks and athletic fields throughout the city. Dunns walking trails are ideal for jogging walking or leisurely strolls and the open spaces accommodate dog-friendly outings offering residents a welcoming environment to stay active enjoy nature and connect with the community.

History buffs can visit the nearbyAverasboro Battlefield and Museum to learn about Civil War history through museum exhibits walking trails battlefield tours and interpretive programs that highlight the 1865 Battle of Averasboro.

About the Organization:

Operating under a Council-Manager form of governmentthe City Manager reports to the Mayor and six at-large Council members who act as the policy-making body. The city is divided into six wards and each ward elects one council member to represent it while the mayor is elected by the city at large. The CitysFY 2026 budget of $ supports 133 full-time and 24 part-time employees across seven departments: Administration Finance Planning and Inspections Police Public Works Parks and Recreation and Public Utilities.

About the Department and Position:

A nationally accredited law enforcement agency (CALEA) since 2019 the Dunn Police Department is responsible for all facets of municipal law enforcement including patrol investigations community policing grant management policy development and collaboration with state and federal agencies.

Reporting to the City Manager the Chief of Policeprovides leadership and direction for all departmental operations ensuring effective law enforcement services and a strong commitment to public safety. This position is responsible for setting both short- and long-term goals developing policies and procedures and fostering a cohesive professional and accountable team. The Chiefmanages all aspects of departmental administration including recruitment training performance evaluation and personnel development.

In addition to overseeing the departments budget grants and resources the Chiefmaintains open communication with city leadership community partners and residents. The role monitors crime trends ensuring timely responses to public concerns and collaborating with regional and state law enforcement agencies. The Chiefmanages the departments $5.3M budget and oversees the departments 48 full-time and 8 part-time personnel including three direct reports: Major Lieutenant of Professional Standards and CALEA Manager.

Key Position Priorities:

• Recruit and retain high-quality officers by promoting professional development fostering engagement and utilizing the Citys compensation and incentive programs
• Support and guide a young motivated command staff build morale and set clear expectations for professionalism visibility and discipline
• Continue efforts to manage homelessness in parks and downtown while maintaining strong partnerships with local organizations such as the Beacon Rescue Mission
• Increase proactive patrols improve response times and maintain a visible presence in higher-crime areas to address gang drug and property-related offenses
• Prepare the department for Dunns ongoing development along the I-95 corridor while balancing public safety with economic and residential growth

Qualifications:

This position requires a bachelors degree in criminal justice or public administration supplemented with advanced courses in police science and considerable managerial law enforcement experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Preferred qualifications: 10 years of progressive experience and a rank of Captain or higher.

Transfers:An officer holding probationary certification may not laterally transfer from one law enforcement agency to another. The probationary period must be completed in its entirety at the same agency. If an officer terminates employment with one agency before his or her year is up then he or she must start a new probationary period at the new agency. In-statecandidates with less than a three-year break in NC service may receive partial credit toward basic law enforcement training. Out-of-statetransferees will be evaluated to determine the amount and quality of their training and experience. At a minimum out-of-state candidates must have two years of full-time sworn law enforcement experience and must have successfully completed a basic law enforcement training course accredited by the state from which they are transferring and cannot have a break in full-time service exceeding three years at the time of appointment. Individuals with Federal law enforcement officer certification who have not had a break in service exceeding three years at the time of appointment may receive partial credit toward NC basic law enforcement training. NC does recognize and give partial credit for military police (MP) training if the candidate has completed a formal military basic training program and been awarded a military police occupational specialty rating and has served as a military police officer for not less than two of the five years preceding the date of appointment.

The Successful Candidate:

• Leads with integrity and vision by setting a clear direction for the department prioritizing public safety while cultivating a culture of trust respect and transparency that inspires both officers and the community to engage positively and confidently;
  • Supports officers in their work by actively listening to their needs advocating for their safety recognizing their contributions and providing the guidance and resources they need to perform effectively and feel valued as essential members of the team;
  • Practices fairness and consistency by holding all staff accountable while maintaining open communication transparency and accessibility ensuring that decisions are equitable understood and reinforce confidence in leadership and the department;
  • Balances strong law enforcement with empathy by addressing serious crime decisively while also considering the human element treating all individuals with respect and understanding and making measured decisions that reflect both justice and compassion;
  • Builds meaningful relationships with the community by being approachable visible and engaged listening to residents concerns understanding the unique needs and challenges of Dunn and fostering partnerships that strengthen public trust and safety;
  • Communicates clearly and consistently by sharing plans strategies and expectations openly providing regular updates and following through on commitments to build credibility confidence and shared understanding across the department and community;
  • Invests in the growth and wellness of staff by modeling professional development encouraging training supporting work-life balance and creating opportunities for mentorship and skill-building that empower officers to excel both personally and professionally;
  • Demonstrates composure patience and resilience by remaining calm under pressure making thoughtful decisions in complex or challenging situations and maintaining steadiness even when facing criticism or unpopular choices;
  • Leads by example on the streets and in the office by being present approachable and hands-on showing dedication professionalism and a commitment to active leadership that sets a high standard for the department; and
  • Maintains open and approachable communication with the elected board actively listening and collaborating to align departmental goals with community priorities while using this accessibility to foster transparency strengthen public trust and ensure the Police Department operates efficiently fairly and in a way that serves all members of the community.

Salary and Benefits:The hiring range for the position is $92900 -$110000 commensurate with education and experience. The City of Dunn provides an excellent benefits package that includes participation in NC Local Government Employees Retirement System; participation in the State Health Plan employer-paid dental vision & life insurance; optional FSA participation; optional life disability cancer critical illness and accident insurance; 401(k) plan and optional 457(b) plan; 12 paid holidays; birthday holiday; and vacation/sick leave.

To apply please visit and click on the Chief of Police City of Dunn NCtitle.

The City of Dunn is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Developmental Associates LLC manages the recruitment and selection process for this position. To learn more about our selection process visit selectClient Openings and scroll down to Important Information for Applicants.