Phoenix had planned to name a new police chief this month, instead it relaunches search

The city of Phoenix had planned to name a new permanent police chief this month, nearly three years after the resignation of former Chief Jeri Williams.

But the city announced on Tuesday that it’s relaunching the search, in part because interim Chief Michael Sullivan has withdrawn as a candidate. The city said the decision to restart the search was also based on feedback from the community and the police department.

Sullivan — who was one of four finalists for the job — had faced strong union opposition from the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association. He said his decision to withdraw his candidacy was in the best interests of the department and the city.

“When I accepted this role, the department was under a Department of Justice pattern and practice investigation and facing significant challenges,” Sullivan said. “Throughout my tenure, I’ve worked diligently to navigate that process while focusing on crime reduction, strengthening community trust, and building a culture of continuous improvement. I am incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made as a department and of the dedication demonstrated by our officers and staff.”

Matthew Casey/KJZZ

Sullivan, whose previous experience includes stints with the Baltimore and Louisville police departments, had been serving as interim chief since September 2022.

The city announced that Executive Assistant Chief Dennis Orender will immediately take over as acting chief but will not be competing for the permanent role.

In March, the city announced Sullivan as one of the finalists for the position, along with:

• Ed DeCastro, a 24-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department.
• Casey Johnson, a 23-year veteran of the Oakland Police Department.
• Ed Wessing, a 29-year veteran of the Mesa Police Department.

“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Interim Chief Michael Sullivan,” said City Manager Jeff Barton. “He stepped into a challenging role and helped guide our department through a critical time. His dedication to the community and to the men and women of the Phoenix Police Department left a lasting impact. The continuous improvement processes he implemented will continue to develop, improving public safety in our community for years to come. We wish him all the best in his next chapter.”

The city said the recruitment process will reopen immediately, and it will begin accepting applications on Friday.