Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. Phoenix police chief Jeri Williams announced on Tuesday that she was retiring. If so, you may be due for an AC unit replacement. "After much prayer and consideration and in consultation with my family and city leadership, I have decided to make a change," said Williams. As a 33-year law enforcement veteran, Chief Williams has devoted her life to protecting our community. Join the New Times community and help support Stability, accountability, communication, the ability to stand firm in the decision-making and to be someone who can come in and speak with the media, speak with the community and engage with the department, she said. Williams started as a beat cop in 1989 and worked her way up the ranks to become police chief. PHOENIX Chief Jeri Williams of the Phoenix Police Department announced her retirement on Tuesday morning. Patricia Pagliuca, an organizer with Mass Liberation Arizona, spoke during a protest at the Phoenix police headquarters on Monday. Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams has announced that she intends to retire "this summer." While being very well-resourced, the department is still facing major challenges, including a Department of Justice investigation, and police union leadership that continues to not listen to the needs of the community and their own members. Who else can sit in my shoes and say, throughout the course of almost six years, weve gone through the ebbs and flows of law enforcement, and were still looking forward.. The couple had two college-aged sons, Alan and Cody. PHOENIX (KSAZ) - They're a power family for sure. Williams served nearly six years as Oxnard, California Police Chief, joining that department in 2010, where she strengthened police-community relationships and oversaw the implementation of police body-worn cameras, her Phoenix police bio reads. After much prayer and consideration and in consultation with my family and city leadership, I have decided to make a change," said Williams. Because they see a uniform, so they only see an officer. "There is never a perfect time to transition but the time feels right for me now to step aside. We are a family of servants; my son is a firefighter, my husband is a judgeformer councilperson. DOJ investigators came to Phoenix to speak with Williams, who was teaching officers de-escalation tactics. Williams says she will retire this summer no official date has been given. Copyright 2022 KTVK/KPHO. Her passion for this community, her leadership through challenging times and her commitment to reforming and evolving the Phoenix Police Department will be missed as she makes this decision to retire.". An African-American, she is one of just 12 women running major US city police departments. Alan replied, "I wouldn't say tempted. Copyright 2022 KTVK/KPHO. One of the most exciting elements of the MLB offseason is the Arizona Fall League, which began its 30th season Monday. Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams and City of Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher, who is set to retire in October, discuss the DOJ's investigation into the ci. "Today, we are celebrating the. Almost all of the pieces are in place. PHOENIX With the hire of Jeri Williams as the city of Phoenixs newest chief of police came curiosity as to who she is and her history. Williams also delved into the future and what she hopes will happen within the department in years to come. In a collection of recorded conversations, Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams top aides privately stated that she misled the city council and public in the wake of an ABC15 investigation that exposed how police and prosecutors falsely charged protesters as gang members. Would love your thoughts, please comment. The group led many of the police reform protests in Phoenix a couple of years ago. There were children there and they endangered their lives over less than $10? Chief Jeri Williams Addresses Offensive Facebook Posts Made by Current and Former Phoenix Officers, Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams on offensive Facebook posts written by current and former officers that were found in a review by Buzzfeed News in partnership with Injustice Watch. For now, she has come under fire because her officers are accused, indeed seen on video, terrorizing a Black couple and their very young children over an alleged shoplifting incident. Phoenix needs more police officers. The other two,Assistant Phoenix Police Chief Mike Kurtenbach and Assistant Washington, D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham, each had two years fewer experience than Williams. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Alfonso Limon, Jr. was murdered by police in 2012; the City of Oxnard settled for nearly $7 million. "This is a critical time for the Phoenix Police Department. Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams has been suspended for one day and others in her executive staff have been demoted after outside investigations into bogus gang charges for protesters, and a department "challenge coin." Phoenix appointed Jeri L. Williams as its police chief in 2016. The officer responsible for this outrage should be given due process. "After the National Anthem, say a prayer, I touch my chest, they touch their chest," he said. So I am obviously an advocate of Black Lives Matter from that respect, because thats the community coalescing and involving. Ames and Harper rejected her apology saying it was not one. A year later, Williams announced multiple officers were put on desk duty and faced possible misconduct investigations after an advocacy group published thousands of social media posts by officers in Phoenix and around the country showing racist comments and imagery. Her passion for this community, her leadership through challenging times and her commitment to reforming and evolving the Phoenix Police Department will be missed as she makes this decision to retire.. department, thank you! But also the relationships weve built within the community and have sustained those relationships even over troubling times, challenging times, she said. Chief Williams has devoted her professional career to the city she loves," said City Manager Jeff Barton. "He's probably, out of all of us, the most creative," said Cody Sr. "Definitely," added Jeri. Juan Zavala was beaten by police and died of unknown causes in 2014. View Events Calendar. And Alan turned that into a career. Barack Obama appointed Williams, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts from Arizona State University and a Masters degree in Education from Northern Arizona University, to a membership position on the Medal of Valor Review Board. Physical Address: 2643 E. University Drive Phoenix, AZ 85034. that theyd shoot Dravon Ames, 22, his pregnant fiance Iesha Harper, 24. the officer who is heard on video threatening to shoot the family, Christopher Meyer. Williams said she is proud of several things. Example video title will go here for this video. Core components of these efforts are centered on the suppression and prevention of crime, the continuation of community engagement and outreach, the promotion of transparency and accountability to increase legitimacy and the commitment to employees and their well-being, it reads. Its not just about that specific individual Jeri Williams, its about everyone directly underneath the Chief and who has been in the way of providing accountability and transparency to the community and very sensitive subject matters. Whether Alan chooses to stand or kneel, that's Alan's choice, but do know that anything he chooses to do or not do could impact one and other.". In a collection of recorded conversations, Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams' top aides privately stated that she misled the city council and public in the wake of an ABC15 investigation that exposed how police and prosecutors falsely charged protesters as gang members. Part 1: FOX 10's John Hook talks to Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego, who has a unique perspective on the Russian invasion of Ukraine because he is a Marine who served in Iraq. Because they're people.. Williams returned to Arizona in 2016 and was named Phoenix Police chief. Bookmark +, Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams will retire this summer after 33 years in law enforcement. She has a big job. Chief Williams has devoted her professional career to the city she loves, City Manager Jeff Barton said in a news release. While we will find out more about exactly where Williams stands on certain topics as we move closer to her October start date, she did speak about a few things in the buildup to her hire. Phoenix needs more police officers. Want to learn more about our upcoming events? Williams is married to Judge Cody Williams, a justice of the peace in south Phoenix, for 24 years. An employee shot an man brandishing a gun at a gas station in Avondale on Wednesday morning, authorities said. Every day, I marvel at the response and reception I get from people in the community. Then, City Manager Jeff Barton says, a nationwide search for a permanent replacement will happen later. She said, like you, Im disturbed by the language and action of our officer, but said the incident is not representative of the majority of the police department. She was one of three candidates for the job. It is unacceptable not to hire officers when the City is flush with revenue and while we continue to lose experienced cops to neighboring cities offering bonuses and better pay. Williams has been in law enforcement for 33 years and began her career with the Phoenix Police Department in 1989. In a statement, police claimed that the couple had stolen underwear from the dollar store and said that they quickly drove away and were pursued. The Black Lives Matter movement was spawned by a rash of men of color, and sometimes women of color, being killed by the hands of law enforcement. A band played in front of Phoenix police headquarters on Monday to celebrate the departure of Chief Jeri Williams. Travel and see things while were still healthy enough to do so. Man killed in crash at Pima, Craycroft in Tucson, Prolonged rainfall leads to water rescues, road closures, Gas leak causes evacuation at Tucson home, Human smuggling suspect recaptured after escaping Border Patrol, Tucson food truck community Comida Park announces opening date at Tanque Verde Swap Meet, Court asked to void verdict against ex-officer in George Floyds murder, statement posted on the City of Phoenix website. In the witness video, Officer Christopher Meyer yells "I'm gonna f***ing put a cap right in your f***ing head. September 13, 2022 She was promoted to assistant chief before moving to California to. After working her way up to an assistant police chief in Arizona, Chief Williams moved to Oxnard, CA, in 2011 to become chief of their department. I will listen to your concerns. Williams says the decision was motivated by her family, and shes focused on putting family first in this new chapter of life. Williams, who became chief in 2016 and announced her retirement in May, has long been a focus for Mass Liberation and other advocates for change in the agency. The police escalated this situation and made it dangerous for the family and themselves for NO Reason. Contact meg.oconnor@newtimes.com for questions about the video. After much prayer and consideration and in consultation with my family and city leadership, I have decided to make a change," Williams said in a tweet. Raiford said. Most specifically those in critical incidents. At every game, Alan looks up to his parents in the stands. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. The couple was not charged with any crime related to the alleged shoplifting; they do admit that their 4-year-old had taken a dollar-store, Barbie-like doll. Phoenix Police Chief addresses controversial video, police misconduct allegations. Read the full story here: phoenixnewtimes.com/news/phoenix-shoplifting-video-brutality-family-files-claim-11312081 These videos were filmed by residents of the apartment complex where Ames and his family were accosted by Phoenix police.