The police chief (or chief of police) is the senior officer commanding a municipal police service, responsible for overall operations, strategy, and representing the service publicly. Police chiefs are typically appointed by police boards or commissions rather than directly by councils, maintaining some independence from political direction. Chiefs manage police budgets, personnel, operational decisions, and relationships with community and government. The role involves balancing public safety, community expectations, officer welfare, and resource constraints. Police chiefs in major cities are prominent public figures whose decisions and policies significantly affect communities. Contracts typically run for terms with performance evaluations by police boards.