News Summary
Phoenix has announced the final three candidates for the position of permanent police chief, following a restart of the recruitment process. This comes after interim chief Michael Sullivan withdrew from consideration. The search for a police chief began after former chief Jeri Williams resigned amidst a U.S. Department of Justice investigation. The finalists include Malik Aziz, Matthew Giordano, and Mirtha V. Ramos, each bringing extensive experience in law enforcement. A public forum will be held for community engagement, with the appointment set for July.
Phoenix has announced the final three candidates for its permanent police chief position following a restart of the recruitment process. This development comes after interim chief Michael Sullivan withdrew his candidacy, creating the need for a new search.
The search for a permanent police chief commenced in December 2024 after the resignation of former chief Jeri Williams in September 2022. Williams’ departure was a significant moment for the Phoenix Police Department, coinciding with an ongoing U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the department’s practices.
The city has now narrowed down the candidate pool to three finalists:
Malik Aziz
Currently serving as the Chief of Police for the Prince George’s County Police Department in Maryland, Malik Aziz brings over 35 years of law enforcement experience to the table, primarily gained during his tenure with the Dallas Police Department. Aziz holds both a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Dallas. His credentials include extensive leadership training, having completed programs at prestigious institutions such as the FBI National Academy and the National Executive Institute. He has previously held roles including President of the Dallas Police Athletic/Activities League and Chair of the Dallas Police Museum Board. Aziz is also a member of the Board of Advisors for the University of Virginia Center for Public Safety and Justice. He is a family man with two adult children and two grandchildren.
Matthew Giordano
Matthew Giordano is the Executive Director of the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST). Prior to this role, he served as the Executive Chief of Enforcement for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and retired as a Commander from the Phoenix Police Department after more than two decades of service. Giordano holds a Bachelor of Science in Purchasing and Logistics Management from Arizona State University and a Master’s in Education from Northern Arizona University.
Mirtha V. Ramos
Mirtha V. Ramos began her law enforcement career in 1997 with the Miami-Dade Police Department and served as Division Chief there until 2019. She was then appointed Chief of Police for the DeKalb County Police Department in Georgia, where she faced notable challenges including pandemic-related issues, civil protests, and staffing shortages. Ramos holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Professional Studies in Psychology of Leadership from Penn State University. She has also completed leadership training at the FBI National Academy and the National Executive Institute but resigned from her role in DeKalb in February 2025 after being placed on administrative leave.
A public forum is scheduled for June 16, where the finalists will respond to pre-submitted questions from residents. This forum will take place at 5 p.m. in the Phoenix City Council chambers and will be streamed live on PHXTV and YouTube.
The appointment of the new police chief is anticipated in July 2025. The city hopes this newly selected individual will guide the Phoenix Police Department toward enhancing community relations and improving public safety, which has been a focus since Jeri Williams’ resignation.
Previously, the recruitment efforts included candidates such as Phoenix Police Assistant Chief Ed DeCastro, Mesa Police Assistant Chief Ed Wessing, and Oakland Police Deputy Chief Casey Johnson. However, due to the change in circumstances and the need for a refreshed search, these candidates were not moved forward in the selection process as the city seeks to find the right leader for its police force.
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Phoenix Police Chief Search Faces New Challenges
Interim Police Chief Steps Aside as City Seeks New Leadership
Additional Resources
- AZCentral: Phoenix Announces New Slate of Finalists for Police Chief
- AZFamily: City of Phoenix Announces 3 Finalists for Police Chief
- KTAR: Phoenix Police Chief Search Finalists
- Wikipedia: Phoenix, Arizona
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Phoenix
