Job Description / Duties

For more than 140 years, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) has played an essential role in the safety and well-being of Calgary. Established in 1885, CPS has evolved alongside the city it serves and today operates in an increasingly complex public-safety environment. Its work is grounded in community service and guided by the values of respect, honesty, integrity, compassion, fairness, courage and accountability.

As one of Canada’s fastest-growing major cities, Calgary continues to experience significant growth and change, creating new opportunities and increasing demands on public safety and those who serve within it. CPS is responding through evidence-based policing, modernization, accountability and strong partnerships across government and the community. This environment requires strong organizational governance, disciplined planning, sound financial stewardship and an ongoing focus on innovation, performance and public trust.

Against this backdrop, CPS is seeking an accomplished and forward-thinking executive to serve as Deputy Chief, Bureau of Operational Support. This is a significant leadership opportunity to influence the future of one of Canada’s largest municipal police services and strengthen the operational capabilities, partnerships and specialized services that support frontline policing, community safety and public trust.

Reporting directly to the Chief of Police and serving as a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, the Deputy Chief will provide enterprise leadership across CPS and contribute to the overall strategic direction of the Service. The Deputy Chief will help ensure operational support functions are integrated, effective and evidence-informed, balancing immediate operational demands with long-term community outcomes and ensuring specialized services remain responsive to emerging risks, evolving community expectations and contemporary policing practices.

Leading the Bureau of Operational Support, the Deputy Chief provides executive oversight to the Arrest Processing Section, Support Section, Traffic Section, Major Events and Emergency Management Section, and Strategic Partnerships Division. This broad and impactful portfolio supports frontline policing and investigative operations, strengthens emergency preparedness and organizational readiness, advances traffic and public safety, and ensures specialized operational capabilities remain safe, current, interoperable and responsive to changing Service and community needs.

Beyond the leadership of the Bureau, the Deputy Chief will play an important role in advancing organizational change, service integration, community safety and public trust. Working collaboratively across the Service and with justice-system partners, emergency services, municipal and provincial partners, community organizations, social-sector agencies, educational institutions, Indigenous communities and other key stakeholders, the Deputy Chief will provide strategic leadership for major events and public safety operations, traffic safety, custody and arrest-processing operations, and specialized services including tactical, canine, air support and mounted patrol. The Deputy Chief will also champion prevention-focused, upstream and evidence-informed approaches that support vulnerable populations, strengthen social outcomes and build safer, healthier and more resilient communities.
The successful candidate will bring at least 10 years of police leadership experience, including five years at a senior leadership level, with demonstrated experience leading large, multi-disciplinary teams, strategic initiatives, organizational transformation and specialized operational support services. An undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of education and law enforcement experience is required; a graduate degree is an asset.
CPS is seeking a highly respected, credible and inspirational leader committed to the ongoing professionalization of the Service and to strengthening operational excellence, community safety, public trust, and the development of future leaders. The ability to obtain RCMP Top Secret Security Clearance is preferred. For sworn members, candidates must, at a minimum, be confirmed at the rank of Superintendent or Inspector.

Qualifications / Required Skills

- At least 10 years of police leadership experience, including five years at a senior leadership level, with demonstrated experience leading large, multi-disciplinary teams, strategic initiatives, organizational transformation and specialized operational support services.
- An undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of education and law enforcement experience is required; a graduate degree is an asset.
- Ability to obtain RCMP Top Secret Security Clearance is preferred.
- For sworn members, candidates must, at a minimum, be confirmed at the rank of Superintendent or Inspector.

Contact Information

Janet Soles and Associates has been retained to conduct this search on behalf of Calgary Police Service. For more information about this opportunity or to apply, please send your curriculum vitae and letter of interest with the Subject Line – “DC Operational Support – Calgary Police” in confidence to apply@jssearch.ca.