Description
Applicants should apply by November 5, 2026
The Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) Authority Law Enforcement Department seeks an experienced and transformational leader with a customer service mindset to serve as its next Chief of Police. Desired attributes include:
The next Chief of Police will demonstrate passion and energy towards achieving Authority goals while strategically and diplomatically leading the department through change in conformance with the Core Values of the organization.
Effective in crisis management, the Chief of Police must have strong communication skills with experience in patrol, community policing, and investigative functions of a typical law enforcement agency similar in size to RDU.
The ideal leader will have a keen understanding and awareness of the culture of an airport law enforcement department including the high level of federal regulations and be committed to a level of quality customer service that the department is known for.
A transparent and adaptable leader, the Chief of Police will value diversity, equity and inclusion and balance building comradery within the department while ensuring frequent engagement and collaboration with departmental personnel and stakeholders including federal, state, and local agencies and Airport Authority leaders.
About the Department and Position:
The Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority Law Enforcement Department (RDULE) is a fully accredited North Carolina law enforcement agency. RDULE is responsible for ensuring visitors to Raleigh-Durham International Airport have a safe travel experience. The agency’s jurisdiction extends beyond the airport’s terminals and includes all of the Authority’s 5,000 acres of property including sections of major roadways around the airport.
The RDU Law Enforcement Department, located in the Airport Operations Center building, includes a staff of 89+ full and part-time officers and support employees that perform a range of functions including foot and vehicle patrols, investigations, lost-and-found, special operations, traffic duties, community policing and more. RDULE is headquartered in the Airport Operations Center with remote offices in each terminal. The department also includes training facilities located on airport grounds. The Chief of Police reports to civilians on the executive leadership team.
The next Chief of Police will lead a cohesive department that collaborates well with airport stakeholders in providing excellent customer service to travelers. The staff and officers of RDULE are well respected by airport employees and known for their swift response to issues reported from the operations center. Law Enforcement personnel are highly skilled and successful in adaptability and de-escalation tactics. The Chief of Police will be an adaptable, servant leader who will work diligently to build and maintain relationships. Overseeing a budget of approximately $13.9 million, the Chief of Police must embrace the Authority’s Core Values of Learning, Integrity, Team, Excellence, and Respect to be successful.
Requirements
Qualifications:
Requires a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, or another relevant field. A master’s degree and executive law enforcement training are preferred.
Ten or more years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience across functional areas such as patrol, internal affairs, administration, investigations, community policing, etc.
Six to seven years professional management or related experience in law enforcement administration including three to four years of related tactical and administrative supervisory experience.
Three or more years of experience working in an airport environment is required.
Must possess applicable certification from the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Commission or obtain such certification within six months of hire.
Please note: North Carolina law does not recognize or have a reciprocal relationship with Federal law enforcement certification but recognizes and gives partial credit for military police (MP) training, receipt of an MP occupational specialty classification and performance of MP duties.
Must have a valid NC driver’s license or the ability to obtain a valid NC driver’s license within 60 days of relocating to NC.
Transfers: In-state candidates may transfer their law enforcement officer certification to another agency in NC provided he/she has less than a three-year break in service at time of appointment. In-state candidates with less than a three-year break in NC service may receive partial credit toward basic law enforcement training. Out of state candidates who are serving or have served as a local or state law enforcement officer 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.
