The City of Columbiana, Ohio is seeking candidates for the position of Chief of Police. With approximately 7,000 residents located in northern Columbiana County and southern Mahoning County, the City of Columbiana has an active business community, good industrial base, and an award-winning school system.
The City has a Charter form of government. The Chief of Police reports directly to the City Manager, operates an annual budget of approximately $ 2,000,000.00 and oversees the supervision of sixteen full-time officers, two K-9 units, three part-time officers, four full-time dispatchers, and three part-time dispatchers.
The ideal candidate shall have demonstrated strength in communications, public relations, leadership, and management skills. A working knowledge of contemporary police technology and computer aptitude is desirable.
Qualifications include skills in team building, leadership, management, budgeting, communications, and community relations.
Requirements for the position also include:
- OPOTA certification required at time of appointment.
Additional Preferences for the position also include:
- At least an associate’s degree in a field related to law enforcement, with a BA, or BS or higher preferred. *
- At least five years of full-time paid law enforcement experience at a command level.
- Specialized management training such as the F.B.I. National Academy, Southern Police Institute, Police Executive Leadership College (PELC), Certified Law Enforcement Executive (CLEE).
A comprehensive background check will be conducted on all candidates included in the Assessment Center. The offer to the finalist will be conditional upon the results of any psychological, medical, and/or polygraph examinations required.
The selection process will be assisted by consultants from the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP). For selected candidates, the process will include an Assessment Center on March 15, 2025. Those selected as finalists after the Assessment Center can expect interviews with the City Manager and a committee established by City Council. The starting salary will be established at the time of employment and will be at least $85,000.00 depending on qualifications plus a uniform allowance.
Applicants must submit the documents below to Mallory Murphy, OACP Advisory Services Program Director, by email only to [email protected]
- A cover letter that addresses the reasons for your interest in the position that focuses on the areas of team building, leadership, management, budgeting, communications and community relations.
- A resumé including detailed information relative to the Qualifications, Requirements and Additional Preferences specified above.
- Three letters of reference from individuals familiar with the applicant’s prior police work experience.
- A copy of your OPOTA certificate, a copy of your college degree, and a copy of an organizational chart from your present or past employer that best demonstrates your qualifications for this position.
All application materials must be received at the OACP office no later than 4:00 p.m., Friday, February 14, 2025. Please add a “read receipt” to your email to confirm it has been received. Because of the public records law in Ohio, the identity of applicants and application materials cannot be considered to be confidential. If an applicant has questions about the position contact City Manager’s office at 330-482-2173, option 6.
The City of Columbiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
*The degree granting institution must be accredited by one of two nationally recognized accrediting organizations, the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Association.
