Groveport, OH - Chief of Police
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INTRODUCTION
Groveport, Ohio is seeking a proven law enforcement professional with the leadership experience, education and technical skills to serve as Chief of Police for one of central Ohio’s greatest small towns. Historic Groveport is recognized as a well-managed, financially stable community with strong midwestern values which is home to 6,000 residents and is experiencing significant growth demands. Its charming downtown is walkable, inviting, and serves as a gathering place that exudes a strong hometown feel. City leaders take great pride in offering high quality, efficient, and responsive municipal services. The next Chief of Police will be a respected, visible, approachable, and a proactive community leader, who will continue to enhance the proud tradition of Groveport’s Police Department.
The Chief of Police leads and directs the daily functions and operations of the City’s Police Department. It is a highly responsible leadership position which works closely with the Mayor and City Administrator, City Council, various departments of the City, as well as neighboring public safety agencies such as the Madison Township Police and Fire Departments and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. The Chief of Police provides overall leadership and direction for all policing functions including enforcement of all state and local laws through a staff of 26 sworn officers alongside administrative staff. The Chief of Police is a highly visible, accessible and engaged leader who trains and develops personnel and embraces community policing methods to ensures a safe environment for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors.
HISTORY
Groveport, population 6,000, is located in southeast Franklin County and immediately adjacent to Columbus, the state Capitol and center of the rapidly growing Central Ohio region. Founded in 1847, the City comprises just under 9.0 square miles with a significant industrial tax base in the logistics hub at adjacent Rickenbacker International Airport. The City’s village status faded in the 1990’s when residential development began to take off, doubling the population over a three-decade period. Railroad development was superseded by highway construction along US 33, a main connector to Interstates 270 and 70 running along the City’s boundary. The rebranding of Rickenbacker Air Force Base, immediately south of the city limits, as Rickenbacker International Airport, enabled the City to take advantage of such proximity with major investment being attracted in the warehousing and distribution sector.
GROVEPORT TODAY
Today, Groveport is positioned as a unique blend of small town and growing, vibrant suburban community that despite its relatively small resident population, grows nearly three-fold to a bustling daytime population of about 16,000. With a robust economic development program and new residential growth, Groveport stands to lead the southeast part of the Central Ohio region in both housing and new job creation.
The economic growth of the City is a reflection of the fast-paced regional expansion for which central Ohio is becoming known. Construction of Intel’s $20 billion semiconductor manufacturing complex on a 900-acre site just 25 miles from Groveport’s corporation limits is projected to employ up to 3,000 workers, representing the largest single economic development project in the history of the State of Ohio. Rapid development of new data centers and steady growth in the logistics industry at the adjacent Rickenbacker International Airport continue to propel the economy in and around Groveport.
Central Ohio is one of the fastest growing metro areas in the entire Midwest with regional planners projecting growth of over 700,000 additional residents by 2050. Situated along US 33 between Columbus and Lancaster and near the I-270 and I-70 interchange, Groveport residents and businesses are afforded easy access to downtown Columbus, Ohio State University, as well as John Glenn International Airport. The City has a wide variety of affordable housing stock in both suburban and semi-rural settings.
The City’s strong quality of life is supported by an array of municipal services second to none for a community its size. Aside from standard City services, such as utilities, public safety, street maintenance, planning & zoning, and parks, the City boasts its own municipal golf course, and operates the state-of-the-art Groveport Recreation Center providing a wide range of indoor recreation opportunities including fitness, youth and adult sports, and aquatics. Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are provided to the community through the Madison Township Fire Department which services Groveport, neighboring municipalities, plus the unincorporated areas of the Township. K-12 education is provided through the Groveport-Madison School district which also serves several jurisdictions beyond the City of Groveport.
THE ORGANIZATION
The City of Groveport is a full-service charter municipality operating under the Mayor-Administrator-Council form of government. The City Council is comprised of six members all serving at-large in four-year overlapping terms and serves as the legislative body of the City. The Mayor is separately elected and serves as the Chief Executive and Law Enforcement Officer of the City. The Mayor appoints, with Council confirmation, the Administrator, who serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the City except for the Police and Law Departments.
The Groveport Police Department consists of 26 sworn full-time officers who serve in a variety of operational capacities including Patrol, Criminal Investigations, and as School Resource Officers. Emergency Communications and Dispatching is handled via contract with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. The Police Department responded to 5,189 calls for service in 2024. The personnel, capital, and equipment needs of the Department are well supported by the Mayor and Council and the Department collaborates with neighboring agencies including the Madison Township Police Department for mutual aid assistance as needed. The Chief of Police reports directly to the Mayor with Council confirmation required for appointment.
CHALLENGES FOR THE NEXT POLICE CHIEF
Groveport's next Chief of Police will have a number of opportunities as well as challenges:
REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The City seeks a proven law enforcement executive who can immerse themselves in delivering operational excellence through staff, while anticipating and strategically planning for expected growth as well as the safety and security demands of the community. The ideal candidate will:
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The City of Groveport offers a highly competitive salary and fringe benefit package. Starting salary will ultimately be commensurate with the skills, experience and educational qualifications of the successful candidate. Salary range for the position is $116,514 to $174,760.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and detailed resume to:
Management Advisory Group, LLC
ATTN: David Collinsworth, Managing Partner
[email protected]
Electronic submittal/correspondence is preferred.
David Collinsworth
P.O. Box 1915, Westerville, Ohio 43086
Phone: 937-787-4283
Applications/resumes are encouraged to be submitted by February 23, 2026 to be given the utmost consideration, although applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Resumes for this position are public records and subject to inspection. The City of Groveport, Ohio is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
CLICK HERE FOR PDF VERSION
INTRODUCTION
Groveport, Ohio is seeking a proven law enforcement professional with the leadership experience, education and technical skills to serve as Chief of Police for one of central Ohio’s greatest small towns. Historic Groveport is recognized as a well-managed, financially stable community with strong midwestern values which is home to 6,000 residents and is experiencing significant growth demands. Its charming downtown is walkable, inviting, and serves as a gathering place that exudes a strong hometown feel. City leaders take great pride in offering high quality, efficient, and responsive municipal services. The next Chief of Police will be a respected, visible, approachable, and a proactive community leader, who will continue to enhance the proud tradition of Groveport’s Police Department.
The Chief of Police leads and directs the daily functions and operations of the City’s Police Department. It is a highly responsible leadership position which works closely with the Mayor and City Administrator, City Council, various departments of the City, as well as neighboring public safety agencies such as the Madison Township Police and Fire Departments and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. The Chief of Police provides overall leadership and direction for all policing functions including enforcement of all state and local laws through a staff of 26 sworn officers alongside administrative staff. The Chief of Police is a highly visible, accessible and engaged leader who trains and develops personnel and embraces community policing methods to ensures a safe environment for the benefit of residents, businesses and visitors.
HISTORY
Groveport, population 6,000, is located in southeast Franklin County and immediately adjacent to Columbus, the state Capitol and center of the rapidly growing Central Ohio region. Founded in 1847, the City comprises just under 9.0 square miles with a significant industrial tax base in the logistics hub at adjacent Rickenbacker International Airport. The City’s village status faded in the 1990’s when residential development began to take off, doubling the population over a three-decade period. Railroad development was superseded by highway construction along US 33, a main connector to Interstates 270 and 70 running along the City’s boundary. The rebranding of Rickenbacker Air Force Base, immediately south of the city limits, as Rickenbacker International Airport, enabled the City to take advantage of such proximity with major investment being attracted in the warehousing and distribution sector.
GROVEPORT TODAY
Today, Groveport is positioned as a unique blend of small town and growing, vibrant suburban community that despite its relatively small resident population, grows nearly three-fold to a bustling daytime population of about 16,000. With a robust economic development program and new residential growth, Groveport stands to lead the southeast part of the Central Ohio region in both housing and new job creation.
The economic growth of the City is a reflection of the fast-paced regional expansion for which central Ohio is becoming known. Construction of Intel’s $20 billion semiconductor manufacturing complex on a 900-acre site just 25 miles from Groveport’s corporation limits is projected to employ up to 3,000 workers, representing the largest single economic development project in the history of the State of Ohio. Rapid development of new data centers and steady growth in the logistics industry at the adjacent Rickenbacker International Airport continue to propel the economy in and around Groveport.
Central Ohio is one of the fastest growing metro areas in the entire Midwest with regional planners projecting growth of over 700,000 additional residents by 2050. Situated along US 33 between Columbus and Lancaster and near the I-270 and I-70 interchange, Groveport residents and businesses are afforded easy access to downtown Columbus, Ohio State University, as well as John Glenn International Airport. The City has a wide variety of affordable housing stock in both suburban and semi-rural settings.
The City’s strong quality of life is supported by an array of municipal services second to none for a community its size. Aside from standard City services, such as utilities, public safety, street maintenance, planning & zoning, and parks, the City boasts its own municipal golf course, and operates the state-of-the-art Groveport Recreation Center providing a wide range of indoor recreation opportunities including fitness, youth and adult sports, and aquatics. Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are provided to the community through the Madison Township Fire Department which services Groveport, neighboring municipalities, plus the unincorporated areas of the Township. K-12 education is provided through the Groveport-Madison School district which also serves several jurisdictions beyond the City of Groveport.
THE ORGANIZATION
The City of Groveport is a full-service charter municipality operating under the Mayor-Administrator-Council form of government. The City Council is comprised of six members all serving at-large in four-year overlapping terms and serves as the legislative body of the City. The Mayor is separately elected and serves as the Chief Executive and Law Enforcement Officer of the City. The Mayor appoints, with Council confirmation, the Administrator, who serves as the Chief Administrative Officer of the City except for the Police and Law Departments.
The Groveport Police Department consists of 26 sworn full-time officers who serve in a variety of operational capacities including Patrol, Criminal Investigations, and as School Resource Officers. Emergency Communications and Dispatching is handled via contract with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. The Police Department responded to 5,189 calls for service in 2024. The personnel, capital, and equipment needs of the Department are well supported by the Mayor and Council and the Department collaborates with neighboring agencies including the Madison Township Police Department for mutual aid assistance as needed. The Chief of Police reports directly to the Mayor with Council confirmation required for appointment.
CHALLENGES FOR THE NEXT POLICE CHIEF
Groveport's next Chief of Police will have a number of opportunities as well as challenges:
- Building professional rapport externally with the community and internally with officers and command staff of the Department
- Ensuring proactive community policing approaches are implemented at all levels of the Department
- Establishing a professional development and training plan to enhance leadership capacity among supervisory and command staff personnel
- Maintaining visibility and approachability to citizens, businesses and visitors
- Building strong relationships with various community partners including schools, businesses, neighborhood organizations, and collaborating agencies
- Developing a strategic mission and focus for the Department and its staff
- Recruiting and retaining well qualified sworn personnel to maintain authorized staffing levels and meet anticipated needs resulting from expected growth
- Effectively collaborate and clearly communicate as part of the administrative team to carry out the goals of the City
REQUIREMENTS AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The City seeks a proven law enforcement executive who can immerse themselves in delivering operational excellence through staff, while anticipating and strategically planning for expected growth as well as the safety and security demands of the community. The ideal candidate will:
- Possess a collaborative leadership style to include a strong orientation towards engagement of citizens, businesses, and community partners and institutions
- Understand principles of change management with the ability to navigate complex decision-making environments between residents, businesses, community leaders, and staff
- Develop a strong appreciation of the history and traditions of the City while embracing a creative and innovative approach for continuous improvement
- Demonstrate a sound understanding of, and experience in, community policing principles, modern law enforcement practices, legal currents and developments, and change management
- Possess strong negotiation skills related to labor relations and community dispute resolution
- Be strategic in his/her management approach, establishing and articulating clear, achievable goals for departmental operations and consistently and objectively monitor and hold accountable subordinates for performance
- The successful candidate will have completed secondary education or equivalent (bachelor’s degree preferred); three (3) or more years’ experience in the rank of command level (lieutenant or above); or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities
- Completion of Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Course; must successfully complete a firearms qualification program and maintain qualifications under ORC 109.81; prefer certification in FBI National Academy, NSCS, or related academy (specifically Police Executive Leadership College)
- The successful candidate will possess a valid Ohio Driver’s License and maintain insurability under the City’s vehicle insurance policy
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The City of Groveport offers a highly competitive salary and fringe benefit package. Starting salary will ultimately be commensurate with the skills, experience and educational qualifications of the successful candidate. Salary range for the position is $116,514 to $174,760.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and detailed resume to:
Management Advisory Group, LLC
ATTN: David Collinsworth, Managing Partner
[email protected]
Electronic submittal/correspondence is preferred.
David Collinsworth
P.O. Box 1915, Westerville, Ohio 43086
Phone: 937-787-4283
Applications/resumes are encouraged to be submitted by February 23, 2026 to be given the utmost consideration, although applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Resumes for this position are public records and subject to inspection. The City of Groveport, Ohio is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Connect with us.
(614) 787-4283
[email protected]
(614) 787-4283
[email protected]
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