Phoenix's search for a new Police Chief took an unexpected turn this week, as Interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan announced his resignation and withdrew himself from the running for the permanent position. Sullivan had been serving in the interim role since September 2022, when the previous chief, Jeri Williams, stepped down. In a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix, Sullivan cited his pride in the department's progress on various fronts, stating, "I am incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made as a department and of the dedication demonstrated by our officers and staff."
During his tenure, Sullivan faced the challenge of guiding the Phoenix Police Department through a Department of Justice Pattern and Practice investigation, while at the same time tackling crime reduction and efforts to strengthen community trust. Additionally, the department has been contending with an extensive police officer shortage during a period of heightened violence against law enforcement, according to a report by AZ Family.
Sullivan took decisive steps in his nearly three-year tenure, focusing on a four-pronged approach that included patrol briefing training, de-escalation efforts, reviewing the use of force policy, and improving the hiring process that led to a significant class of new recruits. He was "incredibly proud" of these achievements, in particular the successful reduction in crime, addressing rape kit backlogs, and enhancing public records request handling, as noted in an internal email obtained by AZ Family.
Yet, despite these advancements, a survey from the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association indicated a lack of support from the rank and file for Sullivan's appointment as permanent chief. With Sullivan set to leave his post on April 18, Executive Assistant Chief Dennis Orender will step up as acting police chief. However, Orender has been confirmed not to be in the running for the permanent position. A Phoenix councilmember, Carlos Galindo-Elvira, expressed his appreciation for Sullivan's service on social media, stating, "I’m appreciative for Interim Chief Michael Sullivan’s service to @PhoenixPolice. During his term, the road to reform began toward becoming a self assessing and correcting agency. That objective does not end with his departure," as per AZ Family.
As the city resumes its search for a new police chief, City Manager Jeff Barton noted the importance of community and stakeholder input from the initial recruitment process, along with the goal of finding a leader who can uphold high standards. Applications for the position will open on Friday, and potential candidates are encouraged to apply and visit the city's police chief recruitment page, according to AZ Family.
