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Phoenix Top Leadership Transitions
NEWPHOENIX POLICE CHIEF JERI WILLIAMS APPOINTED
CANYON CORRIDOR CONNECTION 2016
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POLICE CHIEF
JOE YAHNER RETIRES
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve
as your Police Chief. While I look forward
to beginning the next chapter in my life,
the reality of leaving this organization is
bittersweet, but, the experiences I’ve had being
a Phoenix police officer will always be among
the most rewarding in my lifetime.
I entered this profession following in the
footsteps of my father and my brother, who
both proudly served this community for 30
years. Throughout my career, I have been
truly blessed to have had the opportunity to
know and work with so many outstanding
people. The men and women of the Phoenix
Police Department, past and present, have and
continue to be the best in the profession.
When I was entrusted with the responsibility of
leading this Department, I made it my mission
to focus our efforts on five priorities: Crime
Suppression, Community Engagement and
Outreach, Hiring, Training and Technology.
Together, we’ve accomplished a lot in a
relatively short period of time. I truly
appreciate the dedication and commitment
that goes into serving our community.
Thank you and continue to be safe.
Joe Yahner
Jeri Williams’ law enforcement career is now
full circle as she returns to her hometown
roots and becomes the new Phoenix Police
Chief effective October 2016.
Since 2O11, Williams was Police Chief of
Oxnard, California. There, she oversaw
approximately 4OO sworn and non-
sworn employees and the management
and operation of a $5O million budget. ln
addition, Williams focused on community
based policing, oversaw the implementation
of police body cameras, coordinated
training on use of force, legal issues and
technology topics for over 3OO California
law enforcement agencies and guided the
department during several high-profile events
including large-scale community protests.
Before serving in California, Williams spent
22 years rising through the ranks of the
Phoenix Police Department. After graduating
from Arizona State University, she began her
law enforcement career in 1988 on the streets
of Phoenix as a police trainee. From 2OO9
to 2011, Williams was an Assistant Chief
responsible for providing police protection to
more than half of Phoenix’s 5OO-plus square
miles and overseeing 1,OOO sworn and non-
sworn police employees.
The Phoenix Police Department has nearly
4,OOO employees and seven precincts that
cover 5OO square miles serving 1.5 million
residents.
Look for Police Chief Williams interview
in the next CC Magazine issue.
Police Chief Jeri Williams
NSI UPDATE:
Neighborhood Safety Initiative
Neighborhood Around University Gets Even Safer
GCU’s Neighborhood Safety Initiative, now in its third year, has dramatically improved the crime rate in the area known as the Canyon Corridor,
located between Interstate 17 and 43
rd
Avenue and from Bethany Home to Indian School Roads. More police patrols and fewer crime hot spots help
clean up the streets, making the streets more appealing for joggers, parents pushing strollers and neighbors tending their yards, officials say.
Police Chief Joe Yahner
Ci t y Leadership