Leading the Future of California Law Enforcement
For more than a century, the California Peace Officers’ Association (CPOA) has united California’s law enforcement professionals—advancing leadership, training, and advocacy that strengthen both the profession and the communities it serves.
Click here to view and download the job description for this position.
To apply for this position, please email your resume and a cover letter to Greg Wilson, Interim Executive Director. Mr. Wilson will confirm receipt and may schedule a brief call with you to discuss the position, organization and search process. Mr. Wilson will also be your point-of-contact for your application. Please see the section “About this Search” below for a timeline of major steps.
About CPOA
Founded in 1921 to advance the professionalism, leadership, and collaboration of California’s law enforcement community, CPOA represents a diverse membership across state, county, and municipal agencies.
Through statewide training programs, legislative advocacy, and regional engagement, CPOA serves as a unifying forum for peace officers and supports non-sworn professional personnel at all ranks and in all agencies.
CPOA maintains strong partnerships with the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), the California Police Chiefs Association, and the California State Sheriffs’ Association, while maintaining a distinct voice as a multi-disciplinary organization.
The association supports twelve regional
chapters, each with its own governance and local training initiatives and sponsors a California chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
Now, CPOA is seeking a strategic, results-oriented leader to guide a talented and dedicated team, strengthen the association’s long-term sustainability, engage and grow its membership, and expand its statewide visibility and influence.
This is pivotal leadership role for a mission-driven executive who values collaboration, innovation, and impact. The next Executive Director will play a central role in shaping CPOA’s next chapter—building on a proud legacy while advancing renewed relevance, resilience, and member value.
Organizational Opportunities Ahead
CPOA is well-positioned for growth under strong, steady leadership. The next Executive Director will have the opportunity to:
- Empower a Committed Team: Lead a lean, cross-functional staff of three who bring energy, creativity, and dedication to member service. The Executive Director will foster collaboration across the association to enhance alignment and performance.
- Strengthen Financial Capacity: Build upon a solid foundation by expanding non-dues revenue, enhancing sponsorships, and elevating CPOA’s professional training programs to ensure financial health and long-term sustainability.
- Modernize Systems and Governance: Guide updates to policies, and committee structures to reflect best practices in association management—streamlining governance and supporting more strategic member engagement.
- Amplify Advocacy Impact: Refine CPOA’s legislative priorities, strengthen strategic alliances, and position the association as a respected and consistent voice for law enforcement policy in California.
- Elevate Visibility and Influence: Differentiate CPOA among peer organizations by highlighting its unique role as the inclusive, statewide home for all ranks and agencies committed to advancing leadership and professionalism in law enforcement.
As CPOA’s chief executive, the Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors to implement the association’s strategic direction and oversee all aspects of operations, advocacy, and member engagement.
This is a high-impact, visible leadership position—ideal for a professional who thrives on building relationships, guiding teams, and leading meaningful organizational growth.
The successful candidate will bring not only operational excellence but also a strong public presence and a deep commitment to strengthening California’s law enforcement community.
Leadership Priorities for the First 18 Months
CPOA’s next Executive Director will join the organization at a moment of exciting possibility and momentum. The foundation is strong, the mission is clear, and the opportunity to deepen member value and statewide influence has never been greater. Together with the Board, staff, and members, the Executive Director will advance the following priorities to ensure CPOA’s continued growth and impact.
- Enhance Financial Resilience and Growth: Strengthen CPOA’s financial position by aligning operations to support sustainable growth and long-term organizational health.
- Advance Governance Excellence: Partner with the Board to refine bylaws, policies, and committee structures that promote clarity, transparency, and strategic focus—ensuring CPOA’s governance model reflects best practices for a modern, member-driven association.
- Elevate Advocacy Leadership: Define and communicate a clear policy agenda that reflects member priorities and public safety needs. Deepen collaboration with allied organizations to strengthen CPOA’s voice as a trusted and influential advocate.
- Enrich Member Engagement and Value: Strengthen connections across CPOA’s Regions, enhance communication channels, and highlight the association’s unique role as a statewide connector, convener, and community for law enforcement professionals.
- Expand Organizational Capacity and Culture: Empower staff through professional development, streamline systems for greater efficiency, and foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and teamwork that supports CPOA’s mission and future growth.
Desired Candidate Characteristics:
- Strategic Integrator: Skilled at aligning board vision, member priorities, and staff capacity with measurable outcomes, and sustainable operations.
- Financially Astute: Experienced in association finance, capable of managing budgets and cash flow, while generating new revenue opportunities.
- Member-Centered: Committed to listening to, engaging with, and serving the needs of command staff, supervisors, and line-level officers statewide.
- Politically Savvy: Familiar with California legislative and regulatory processes, and able to work with coalition partners to enhance impact.
- Operationally Hands-On: Comfortable leading a small team while actively helping with payroll, member renewals, social media, marketing, and program planning.
- Collaborative and Diplomatic: Able to represent CPOA among law enforcement, policymakers, and the public, while building relationships with peer organizations.
Preferred Qualifications
- Minimum 5–8 years of progressive leadership in a membership-based organization with at least three years in a Chief Staff position overseeing multiple staff.
- Experience supervising membership, component relations, and training program staff.
- Strong fiscal management and contract oversight skills
- Familiarity with California labor law and corporate statutes and regulations.
- Bachelors required in appropriate field (e.g., business, public administration); Masters preferred, and current CAE or IOM credential preferred.
Working Conditions
CPOA offers a collaborative and flexible work environment designed to support both productivity and work–life balance. The association currently operates under a hybrid model based in Sacramento, with employees working in-office two days per week and remotely on other days. CPOA is gradually transitioning toward a fully remote structure by December 2028, ensuring that operational excellence and team connection remain strong throughout the process.
The Executive Director will be able to work 100% remote with occasional travel to Sacramento. Residence must be within the State of California and familiarity with California business and labor law is essential. CPOA provides all essential home-office equipment—including a laptop, monitor(s), printer, phone, and necessary supplies—to ensure staff can work effectively and comfortably from any location.
Compensation and Benefits
CPOA offers a competitive compensation package that reflects the importance of this executive leadership role and the association’s commitment to attracting and retaining top talent. We expect to offer an annual salary between $130,000 and $150,000 depending on experience.
The benefits program includes health, dental, vision and life insurance with full employer contributions for the employee; a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match; and paid vacation, sick leave, and 13 holidays annually. Additional benefits include paid family leave and short-term disability in accordance with California law, as well as a professional development allowance to support continued learning, certifications, and conference participation.
Together, these benefits reflect CPOA’s belief that investing in its people is essential to advancing its mission and strengthening the law enforcement profession statewide.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit a Résumé and Cover Letter describing your leadership approach and interest in employment with CPOA. Please email these two documents as PDFs to Greg Wilson, Interim Executive Director at gwilson@cpoa.org.
About the Search
This confidential search is being conducted by the CPOA Board of Directors. All inquiries and submissions will be treated with respect and discretion.
We expect to open this search on December 1, 2025 on the ASAE and Associations West career pages. Those job postings will remain active for about 30 days through the end of December. However we will continue to accept applications after those posts are no longer active, until we feel we have a sufficient number of qualified candidates or have filled the position.
First-round interviews are expected to take place over Zoom beginning the second week of January. Successful first-round candidates will be asked to provide authorization to confirm employment history and education credentials, which will be required to move to second-round interviews.
Second-round interviews are expected in-person in Sacramento, CA in February, 2026. Travel and lodging costs for candidates invited to the second round will be covered by CPOA. Employment history and education credentials will be verified for all second-round candidates.
We expect to make an initial offer of employment to our final candidate by the first week of March, 2026.
After acceptance of the initial offer, and a background check of the final candidate, we expect to negotiate and agree to an employment contract with a desired start date of April 1, 2026 or as soon thereafter as practical.
CPOA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds who share our commitment to advancing the law enforcement profession through leadership, integrity, and collaboration.
