Deputy Chief of Police- Bartow; FL Police Department

Bartow, FL – Deputy Chief of Police

450 N Wilson Avenue, Bartow, FL 33830

Are you an ethical, steady, and community-focused law enforcement professional ready to take on a senior leadership role? If so, apply to be the City of Bartow’s next Deputy Chief of Police.

We’re seeking an exceptional Deputy Chief of Police who is:

• Experienced in overseeing complex police operations
• Skilled at building collaborative, high-performing teams
• Committed to strengthening community trust and public safety

Bartow is a city of roughly 22,000 residents and serves as the county seat of Polk County. Located at the crossroads of US-98, State Route 60, and US-17, Bartow is less than an hour from both Tampa and Orlando International Airports and the Port of Tampa.

Bartow operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The five-member City Commission elected serves as the policy making body, while the City Manager directs daily operations. Reporting directly to the Chief of Police, the Deputy Chief of Police provides senior administrative and operational support.

The role oversees the Patrol, Investigations, and Support Services divisions and ensures efficient, disciplined, and accountable performance. The Deputy Chief assists in strategic planning, budgeting, and interagency coordination, and represents the Department in the Chief’s absence.

The City of Bartow is seeking a principled, service-oriented Deputy Chief of Police who will lead with integrity, vision, and accountability. The ideal candidate will be decisive yet approachable, committed to building trust, transparency, and confidence in the Department’s effectiveness.

Required qualifications include:

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, public administration, or related field
• At least 10 years of law enforcement experience, holding the rank of Police Captain or higher
• Possess or have the ability to obtain certification as a Law Enforcement Officer from the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission

Preferred qualifications include:

• Completion of advanced leadership programs (FBI National Academy, SMIP, Northwestern)
• Experience in accredited agencies
• Strong background in tactical operations, investigations, labor relations, succession planning, and community-policing programs

The City of Bartow offers a competitive starting salary of $ - $ based upon qualifications and experience, coupled with an array of municipal benefits.

Candidates are encouraged to apply ASAP as the posting period for this position will close upon attainment of a quality applicant pool.