Phoenix City Manager Names Interim Police Chief

https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/city-manager/2425

City Manager

7/29/2022 5:30:00 PM

https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2425/Newsroom_InterimChiefMichaelSullivan.png

Phoenix City Manager Names Interim Police Chief

<div class="ExternalClass1EDC01237C02427A93A31C3DDFC1B8C1"><html> Today, City Manager Jeff Barton announced that Michael Sullivan will join the Phoenix Police Department as interim Police Chief on September 12, 2022. Sullivan currently serves as Deputy Commissioner of the Compliance Bureau for the Baltimore Police Department (BPD). In May of this year, current Police Chief Jeri Williams <a target="_blank" href="/newsroom/city-manager/2330">informed City leadership of her intent to retire</a> after an impressive 33-year career in law enforcement. Chief Williams will begin her retirement after a transition period to assist in onboarding interim Chief Sullivan. As interim Chief, Sullivan will lead Phoenix Police through the currently open Department of Justice (DOJ) <a target="_blank" href="/police/doj">civil pattern or practice investigation</a>. “In the search for an interim Police Chief, it was my priority to identify a leader with the qualifications to guide the department through the DOJ investigation and propel the department forward,” said City Manager Jeff Barton. “Sullivan brings 27 years of law enforcement experience to the table, and he has led police reform efforts for major cities. His experience working in collaboration with communities, the DOJ, federal court and more gives me confidence he has the experience necessary to step into the interim Phoenix Police Chief role during this important time.” The interim assignment is expected to be for approximately 12-24 months. During this time, the City of Phoenix will conduct a robust nationwide search for a permanent Police Chief. The search will include multiple opportunities for community involvement. “I am committed to providing transparent and inclusive public engagement in the search for a permanent Chief,” Barton said. “Input from our community, officers, elected officials, and labor groups will be critical to the selection process.” Sullivan began his career in law enforcement with the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD). He rose through the ranks during his more than two decades of various assignments with LMPD, and was appointed Deputy Chief/Chief of Staff (second in command) in 2015. In 2019, he joined BPD as Deputy Commissioner. There, he served in the Operations Bureau as well as led BPD’s reform efforts and brought the agency into initial compliance with a number of the mandates of its Federal Consent Decree, which is a court enforceable agreement to resolve the DOJ's findings from their 2017 investigation into BPD. Under his leadership, the agency made significant progress and moved the reform efforts from the development phase to implementation. Sullivan is a graduate of the Southern Police Institute’s Administrative Officers Course, the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)/MacArthur Foundation Institute on Juvenile Justice at Yale University, and the Major Cities Chiefs Association Police Executive Leadership Institute. He holds a bachelor’s degree in police administration and a master’s degree in the administration of justice from the University of Louisville. <a target="_blank" href="/piosite/Documents/MichaelSullivanBiography.pdf">Read Michael Sullivan’s full biography.</a> Media availability with City Manager Jeff Barton and interim Chief Michael Sullivan will be offered in September. </html></div>

https://www.phoenix.gov/citymanager

News

city-manager

Interim Chief Michael Sullivan

City Manager

@PHXCityManager @PhoenixPolice

Ashley Patton, Deputy Director

602-292-3704

ashley.patton@phoenix.gov

https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/MediaContact/Attachments/89/Ashley_Patton.jpg

PHXCityManager

Monroe School - Phoenix Then & Now	https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/phxtv/3210	PHXTV	9/10/2024 7:00:00 AM	https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3210/IMG_2637.jpg	https://youtu.be/xh-m-rzHbxA	Monroe School - Phoenix Then & Now	<div class="ExternalClass67380B497F8C419EB1B77B82B636C759"><html> <p><br></p> <span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span>When the Monroe School was built 100 years ago it was the most modern grade school in the United States. Designed to accommodate 800 students it was also the largest elementary school west of the Mississippi. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, since 2008 it has been the home of the Children's Museum of Phoenix. <span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span><p><br></p></html></div>	https://www.phoenix.gov/phxtv	Video
Phoenix Union High School - Phoenix Then & Now	https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/phxtv/3211	PHXTV	9/10/2024 7:00:00 AM	https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3211/IMG_4206.JPG	https://youtu.be/vjYIMIrYob0	Phoenix Union High School - Phoenix Then & Now	<div class="ExternalClass08245B840B6F47F8B8A27927857E8B25"><html> <p>Phoenix Union High School was the first high school in the city of Phoenix. At its peak Phoenix Union was the largest high school west of the Mississippi with over 6500 students on a campus that covered 4 city blocks, 18 acres and 9 buildings. Today the remaining historic buildings are part of the Phoenix Bioscience Core and the University of Arizona College of Medicine.<br></p> </html></div>	https://www.phoenix.gov/phxtv	Video
City Mourns Loss of Officer Zane Coolidge, Shot in the Line of Duty	https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/police/3207	Police	9/7/2024 12:00:00 AM	https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/3207/Newsroom_OfficerZaneCoolidge (1).png		City Mourns Loss of Officer Zane Coolidge, Shot in the Line of Duty	<div class="ExternalClassD84F5F96D1F14FE8B2B03DA355678022"><html> <div> <p> <span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">With deep sadness and a heavy heart, Interim Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan announced the passing of Officer Zane Coolidge, shot and killed in the line of duty while responding to a call.</span> </p> </div> <div> <p> <span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">“Officer Coolidge’s family is dealing with unimaginable grief. We will do everything we can to help them through their darkest hours, and we pledge that they will always be a part of the Phoenix Police Family. I ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers,” Chief Sullivan said when sharing with the community the news of Officer Coolidge’s death.</span> </p> </div> <div> <p> <span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">Officer Coolidge was a husband, father, son, brother, friend, and a dedicated and beloved member of the Phoenix Police Department.</span> </p> </div> <div> <p> <span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">“I am devastated by the tragic loss of Officer Zane Coolidge, who lost his life while keeping the rest of us safe from harm,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “I know that our entire community is mourning this loss, and on behalf of the City, I extend my deepest condolences to Officer Coolidge’s family and friends, and his brothers and sisters in the Phoenix Police Department.  We will forever honor and remember his bravery and selfless service to our community.”</span> </p> </div> <div> <p> <span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">On Tuesday evening, Officer Coolidge was with Officer Matthew Haney when they responded to a call of a man trying to break into a vehicle near 16th Street and McDowell. When they approached the man, he ran off, firing at the officers, hitting them both. The officers were rushed to the hospital, while others responded and took the suspect into custody.</span> </p> </div> <div> <p> <span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">Officer Haney was released from the hospital the next day, protected from more serious injury by his ballistic vest.</span> </p> </div> <div> <p> <span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">“Officer Coolidge has been surrounded by loved ones and blanketed in the prayers of this community since Tuesday night’s shooting,” said Chief Sullivan. “The injuries he sustained after the cowardly acts of another were too much for him to overcome. His legacy will forever be a part of the Phoenix Police Department.”</span> </p> </div> <div> <p> <span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">Officer Coolidge served five years with the Phoenix Police Department. He represents the best of the Department, working as a certified Field Training Officer in the Mountain View Precinct, training those who have just graduated the academy.</span> </p> </div> <div> <p> <span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">“This is a sad day for the City of Phoenix as we mourn the loss of one of our own,” said City Manager Jeff Barton. “Our hearts go out to the family of Officer Coolidge. Our City grieves with you. Your husband, brother, son and father died a hero, unselfishly sacrificing his life to fulfill his duty to protect and serve.”</span> </p> </div> <div> <p> <span lang="EN-US" data-contrast="auto">Details on services to honor Officer Coolidge will be released at a future date.</span> </p> </div> </html></div>	https://phoenix.gov/police	News