chief (of a police station, fire station, etc.); head (of an office)
Refers to the head of a specific government office or station, most commonly a police chief. The exact office is usually clear from context.
He is the chief of the Shinjuku Police Station.
The new police chief has taken up his post.
消防署長が現場で指揮をとった。
The fire chief took command at the scene.
彼女は三年間署長を務めた。
She served as chief for three years.
He took office as the new chief.
署長 and 所長 are pronounced identically (しょちょう) but 所長 is the general head of any office or institute, while 署長 specifically means the chief of a station like a police or fire station.
one-day chief; chief for a day
fire chief; fire marshal
police chief; head of a police station; superintendent
Compound of 署 (government office, station) and 長 (chief, head).