Chief rioted unexpectedly (6)
I believe the answer is:
editor
'chief' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'rioted unexpectedly' is the wordplay.
'unexpectedly' indicates anagramming the letters.
'rioted' anagrammed gives 'EDITOR'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for editor that I've seen before include "One who determines the final content of a text" , "The person who determines the final content of the newspaper" , "One responsible for leader" , "Reviewer of text" , "One is responsible for publication" .)