The tasks and responsibilities of the police chief executive have always been complex. Analysis of the external and internal contexts of policing clearly indicates that the difficulty of the job is increasing as the complexity of the issues and problems that the police must address also increase. The success of the police in addressing the persistent issues that policing faces is directly related to the police chief's effectiveness in articulating an inspiring vision and providing the leadership needed to make it a reality. All police executives must address the issues of matching structure to objectives, avoiding the activity trap, and enriching traditional roles. The other three responsibilities more deeply affect police executives who are actively moving their organizations and communities toward new roles and relationships through a community problem solving style of policing. 11 references