Opportunities Still Exist for Police Chief Candidates Who are Not Willing to Relocate

Last week, I wrote about the top advantages for police chief candidates who are willing to relocate for a police chief opportunity.

See Related Post:  3 Major Advantages to Being Willing to Relocate for a Police Chief Job

These reasons are important and valid.  But, all is not lost if you are not able or willing to relocate.

This week, I want to touch on several advantages to staying local.

Examples

Here are a few examples of police chief candidates who sought out local police chief opportunities and succeeded in their work.

On April 3, 2005, Deputy Chief Ken Ball of the Marietta Police Department retired and was sworn in as the Chief of Police of the Holly Springs Police Department.  Holly Springs is located in the adjacent county to Marietta.  Chief Ball served with distinction for over 11 years before retiring in 2016.

Chief Gary Yandura served as the College Park Chief of Police for nine years beginning in 2001.  In 2013, Chief Yandura was appointed as the Police Chief of the Hiram Police Department.  He served until being appointed as the Chief of Police of the Brookhaven Police Department.  Chief Yandura had the opportunity to start the Brookhaven Police Department from scratch and still serves there today.  All three of these departments are located within a small geographic area of Metro Atlanta.

Deputy Chief David Lee retired from the Marietta Police Department in 2013.  He was hired as the new Chief of Police of the Smyrna Police Department on February 4, 2013.  Smyrna is located in the same county as Marietta.

Some of the police chiefs in these examples may have moved when they took their new jobs.  However, they did not have to “relocate” for this discussion to a whole different geographic area.

Let’s examine a few advantages to only seeking local job opportunities.

You Are Already Connected

Most police chief candidates are active in law enforcement associations in their area.  These associations typically provide network opportunities for law enforcement professionals in the area.

One example in my area is the Cobb County Law Enforcement Association (CCLEA).  Members include police chiefs and command staff from state, local and federal agencies operating in the county.

Another example is the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police.  The Association is broken up into smaller districts that include multiple counties.  These smaller districts bring together police chiefs and command staff from numerous counties in monthly or quarterly meetings.

Both of these examples provide law enforcement leaders a great opportunity to network and build relationships with other leaders.

These types of associations and/or organizations exist in most areas of the country.

When David Lee was appointed Chief of Police at the Smyrna Police Department, he already had a relationship with many members of the department because of their mutual interaction with the CCLEA and the fact he stayed within the county.

Although the Holly Springs Police Department is located in an adjacent county, Chief Ken Ball knew many members of the agency and other agencies around them because of his attendance at the monthly GACP District 11 meeting.

If you have no connections at your new agency or in the surrounding departments, the transition is going to be much more difficult.  As a new chief from the outside, there may be some resistance to you, especially if you are an unknown.  If you have a relationship with others in the department, the transition and your acceptance will likely be easier.

Less Adjustment for Family

Let’s face it, the people most affected by relocating for a new job is our family.  The family is uprooted from everything they know and have to adjust to the change.  This adjustment can be tough for them.

You have to find a new home, get the children registered for school, figure out the best places to shop locally, sign up for new medical care and on top of all that you have to make new friends.

I can’t imagine doing all that, although for some people it might not be a big deal.

When the job is located within a small enough geographic area requiring no relocation, the adjustment for the family is minimal.  They don’t have to worry about a new house, new friends, and new challenges.  Instead, they can focus on supporting you in your new position.  Your families support is essential, especially during this transition period.

Focusing on your new job instead of the burden of relocating can be beneficial to you and your family.

Less Adjustment for You

Likewise, not having to deal with the relocation of your family, makes it is easier to focus on your new job and responsibilities.  Your new job will likely consume a lot of your time and energy.

If you relocate, especially out of state, you will have to get up to speed on the laws of that state.  You will have to adjust to new laws related to police use of force, personnel practices, open records and a myriad of other laws that directly affect your department.

When you stay locally, these changes are less drastic.  All state laws remain the same.  Therefore, you only have to adjust to ordinance changes, specific policies of your new agency and any quirks in how the department carries out their responsibility.

Conclusion

Although there are clear benefits for police chief candidates who are willing to relocate for a job, seeking opportunities locally can still be a smart choice.  There is less adjustment for you, less adjustment for your family and it is a much easier transition to make where you already have connections.

In the end, the needs wants and desires of each candidate will drive the decision about which job opportunity to seek.

Regardless, go forth and seek out the best opportunity for you!

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