The phrase "local chief" refers to a person who holds a position of leadership and authority within a specific area or community. They are responsible for making decisions, managing resources, and solving problems at the local level. Full definition
I live in a mostly one - party state, and I'm proud of my consistent protest votes for federal offices and local chief executive as well. (politics.stackexchange.com)
He and the corrupt local chief of police (he uses his powers to extort sexual favors from pretty young women in exchange for the chance to flee the Nazis), then wander off into the desert. (seattlescreenscene.com)
Over the next couple days, we would learn that these multicolored khipus, each of which is just over 2 feet long, were narrative epistles created by local chiefs during a time of war in the 18th century. (scientificamerican.com)