Police Chief Jeri Williams
Jeri L. Williams was appointed Police Chief of the
Phoenix Police Department in October 2016. She leads
the largest police agency in the State of Arizona, which
is responsible for providing law enforcement services
to the fifth most populous city in the country. Chief
Williams oversees a staff of nearly 4,000 employees
and manages an annual operating budget that
exceeds $700 million.
Chief Williams is a 32-year law enforcement veteran
and accomplished police executive. Under her
leadership, the Phoenix Police Department is
advancing a number of progressive strategies essential
in contemporary law enforcement. Previously, she
served nearly six years as Police Chief in the City of
Oxnard, California where she advanced policecommunity relationships and oversaw the
implementation of police body-worn cameras.
Chief Williams is a native Phoenician. She began her career in law enforcement with the
Phoenix Police Department and retired as an Assistant Chief after 22 years of service.
Chief Williams is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Major Cities
Chiefs Association, the Police Executive Research Forum and the Arizona Association of Chiefs
of Police.
During Arizona's Centennial year, Chief Williams was honored as one of Arizona's 48 Most
Intriguing Women by the Arizona Centennial Legacy Project, in partnership with the Arizona
Historical Society and the Arizona Community Foundation for her leadership in the law
enforcement profession. In 2016, she was recognized as California Assembly District 44 Woman
of the Year for her leadership and outstanding accomplishments as Chief of the Oxnard Police
Department. Later that year, President Obama appointed her to a membership position on the
Medal of Valor Review Board. In 2020, Chief Williams was named to the United States
Conference of Mayors Police Reform and Racial Justice Working Group, and in 2021, she was
appointed to the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board.
Chief Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Arizona State University and a
master's degree in Education from Northern Arizona University.
To learn more about the Phoenix Police Department visit the
More About Us page.