Chief of Police
Town of Westwood
The Town of Westwood is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Chief of Police. This is a critical leadership role responsible for the overall administration, operations, and strategic direction of the Police Department.
The Department consists of 33 sworn officers and 12 civilian employees (including 9 public safety telecommunicators) and operates with an annual operating budget of approximately $5.7 million. The Chief of Police serves as the Town’s senior law enforcement official and is responsible for ensuring the delivery of professional, ethical, and community-focused policing services.
The position is appointed by the Select Board and works under the general direction of the Town Administrator.
Salary and Benefits:
• FY27 Base Salary range of $145,136 – $185,273
o Eligible for additional Education and Holiday pay
• Robust benefits package including health, dental, retirement, and other employee supports
Submit a Letter of Interest, Resume and Leadership Statement, in confidence, via email:
Subject: Westwood Police Chief
John Parow Consulting & Associates Application Deadline: May 22, 2026
32 School Street
Chelmsford, MA 01863
About Westwood:
Westwood is a vibrant residential and commercial community with a population of approximately 16,000 and more than 1.5 million square feet of retail, office, and mixed-use development.
The Town spans approximately 11 square miles and 95 miles of roadway and offers a strong sense of community character, high quality of life, and convenient access to the greater Boston region via Routes 95/128 and 93.
Westwood is a safe, engaged, and well-resourced community that values professionalism, transparency, and strong public safety services.
Key areas of leadership for this role include
• Leadership, mentorship, and support of department personnel
• Visibility, accessibility, and engagement within the community
• Emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and professionalism
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and organizational growth
• Fostering a department that reflects and effectively serves the community
• Building organizational cohesion and maintaining positive morale
• Promoting transparency, accountability, and consistent communication
Essential Job Functions
An employee in this position may be called upon to perform any or all of the following essential functions:
• Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate all Police Department operations
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and regulations consistent with applicable laws and best
practices
• Promote a culture of professionalism, accountability, transparency, and community policing
• Oversee recruitment, hiring, training, discipline, and evaluation of personnel
• Prepare and administer operating and capital budgets
• Coordinate with Fire, Public Safety Communications, schools, and regional partners
• Provide command-level leadership during critical incidents
• Oversee internal investigations and professional standards
• Build and maintain strong relationships with residents, businesses, and community organizations
• Serve as Public Information Officer or designate such responsibilities as appropriate
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, standards, and accreditation requirements
• Lead long-range and strategic planning efforts
• Maintain current knowledge of law enforcement trends, training, and certifications
Requirements of Work
• Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice, public administration, or related field (Master’s preferred), and:
• 15 years of progressively responsible law enforcement experience
• 5 years in a command or supervisory role
• Or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Certification as a police officer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, or ability to obtain
• Valid U.S. Driver’s License
• Valid Massachusetts License to Carry (LTC) or ability to obtain
Application Requirements1
• Letter of interest
• Resume – including certifications, training, and professional development (e.g., FBI National Academy
or equivalent leadership programs)
• Leadership Statement (Please submit a 1–2-page leadership statement describing your leadership
philosophy, your vision for the Westwood Police Department, and how you would approach key
responsibilities of the Chief, including internal management and community engagement.)
The Town of Westwood is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national
origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or
local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting,
promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. The Town
of Westwood makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.