Futures research projected emerging trends and events and was supplemented by interviews with police chiefs, city managers, executive recruiters, and experts in the policing profession. This research provides a foundation for the development of a strategic plan to conduct a successful recruitment, selection, and introduction of a new police chief into a community. The research shows no consensus on what the significant issues will be in the possible futures. The same is true in the description of the traits of a successful and effective police chief of the future. Generally, most agree that chiefs must have leadership, good communication skills, and integrity. Although the study did not find that one set of police-chief characteristics is suitable for all mid-sized police departments, it did determine that the key to selecting a chief with the best possibility of success is to fit the individual to the position and the position to the individual. An assessment of need is the essential part of the selection process. 30 illustrations, a 41-item bibliography, and 19 references