To successfully navigate the professional and political landscape, new police chiefs require a detailed map, a quality compass, and often a seasoned guide to help them reach their destination: a long, secure tenure as chief. In addition to acquiring sound advice from an experienced police chief mentor, there are numerous key strategies for anchoring the top law enforcement executive’s position. Implicit in these principles are certain qualities that new chiefs must embrace to chart a clear course through uncertain terrain. These include integrity, continual personal and professional growth, superior community service, professionalism, effective communications, work excellence, and vision. Although these principles were developed with smaller–police department chiefs in mind, they are easily adaptable to the environment of larger police departments.