A national search is underway to find Phoenix’s next police chief. The city expects to have three finalists who will take questions from the community during a public forum in March.
Phoenix is using an outside firm to help find candidates. The next chief will oversee a $981 million budget, more than 2,500 officers and 1,300 staff, and lead Phoenix through the next phase of the Department of Justice investigation.
Michael Sullivan, who was hired as interim chief in September 2022, plans to apply.
“I’ve been committed, I moved my family across the country, I bought a house in the community,” he previously told KJZZ News. “I’m very interested. I’m very interested in this department, the men and women in this department and the people in this community.”
The department has not had a permanent chief since Jeri Williams retired in summer 2022. Sullivan began on an interim basis in September 2022 and, in June 2024, the City Council unanimously approved extending his contract through August 2025.
Sullivan’s extension came two weeks after the Justice Department released its investigative report into the Phoenix Police Department. It found a “pattern or practice” that violates the constitution and civil rights, including discriminatory policing and excessive force.
In December, the city held listening sessions with labor and community groups and a city spokesperson said a community survey is being developed so residents can share their top priorities and issues and submit questions for the public forum scheduled for March 19.
Recruitment timeline provided by Phoenix:
December 2024: City of Phoenix retained executive search firm, Police Executive Research Forum to conduct a national search for the next Phoenix Police Chief.
December 2024: Community member listening sessions were held to gather input from business and community leaders, neighborhood groups, and other key stakeholders on what they think are important characteristics of the new Phoenix Police Chief.
December 2024: Labor group listening sessions were held to gather input from elected employee representatives on what they feel will be important characteristics for the next Phoenix police chief.
January 2025: National recruitment begins.
February-March 2025: Semifinalist interviews will be conducted.
March 2025: Finalists, including names, photographs, and short biographies, will be announced publicly.
March 2025: Finalist interviews
March 19, 2025: Finalists Forum will be open to the public. Finalists will be asked moderated questions created based on community member/labor feedback and questions from the public. The public will be able to submit questions online and in-person. The event will be held at the Phoenix City Council Chambers. It will also air on PHXTV and YouTube. During the forum, the candidates will have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the community and answer as many questions as possible in a moderated setting. Anticipated topics include continuous improvement, DOJ investigation, excellence in hiring, building bridges within the community, and leadership among other topics.
April 2025: New chief announced.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The timeline in this story has been updated to reflect new information provided by the city.
