​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.