Phoenix names Matt Giordano new police chief
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Matt Giordano is returning to the Phoenix Police Department, where he previously spent more than two decades in law enforcement. Photo: Courtesy of the city of Phoenix
Matt Giordano will be the Phoenix Police Department's new chief.
Why it matters: Giordano will oversee a department in the midst of reforms following a U.S. Department of Justice investigation that found patterns of civil and constitutional rights violations last year.
- The city committed to implementing reforms, even after the DOJ recently ended its investigation and rescinded its findings, and it was important to city leadership that the next chief continue on that path, city spokesperson Dan Wilson told Axios.
The big picture: Giordano, who won't officially start his new role until next month, is the successor to former interim chief Michael Sullivan.
- Giordano is currently executive director of the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST) Board, responsible for setting qualifications to serve as a law enforcement officer in the state.
- He began his law enforcement career with PPD, where he spent more than 20 years before retiring as a commander in 2017, and served as executive chief of enforcement at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
What he's saying: "I look forward to working alongside the dedicated men and women of the Phoenix Police Department and deepening partnerships with the communities we serve," Giordano said in a press statement Tuesday.
Zoom in: City manager Jeff Barton said that Giordano's hiring reflects input from residents, officers and community stakeholders, calling him a "respected leader with deep knowledge of policing in Phoenix."
- Darrell Kriplean, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA), the largest labor union representing PPD officers, expressed support for Giordano's hiring, which he called a "pivotal moment" for the department.
- "While challenges remain in rebuilding internal trust and restoring morale, we are hopeful that this new chapter will bring renewed focus and direction," Kriplean said in a press statement.
Zoom in: "Together, we will build a safer, stronger, and more unified Phoenix," Giordano said in the city's press statement.
Catch up quick: The city restarted its search for a new chief in April after Sullivan, one of four finalists for the job, withdrew his name from contention.
- Polls of PLEA and Phoenix Police Sergeants and Lieutenants Association members showed low support for Sullivan.
- Giordano was one of three finalists in the renewed search.