Here’s the latest on Phoenix’s search for Police Chief Jeri Williams’ successor

PHOENIX – Chief Jeri Williams doesn’t yet know when her retirement will become official, but the Phoenix Police Department is making changes to prepare for the pending transition of power.

“I’m not part of the process. I will say that I hope that they’re getting closer to a decision,” Williams, who announced her retirement in May, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Thursday.

Phoenix City Manager Jeff Barton is searching for an interim chief to serve until the U.S. Department of Justice concludes its investigation into potential civil rights violations and abuses of power by the police department.

“The city manager made it very clear he is looking for someone with Department of Justice experience to help us through this second part or second phase of the DOJ inquiry into the police department, and, quite frankly, neither I nor anyone else on our department has that experience,” Williams said.

A city spokesman told KTAR News on Thursday the selection process was underway but there was no timeline.

“I do believe that I owe some responsibility to city management, to the police department itself to help make that transition with an interim as smooth as possible,” said Williams, who was appointed as Phoenix chief in October 2016.

The interim chief will come from outside the department, the city said. Barton will lead a nationwide search, including internal candidates, for a permanent chief after the DOJ completes its investigation, which started in August 2021.

“I am quite certain when the permanent chief is picked or selected he or she will lead with heart and passion,” Williams said.

Meanwhile, Executive Assistant Chief Mike Kurtenbach, currently the department’s second-in-command, is being reassigned to assistant chief status. He maintains his rank of commander.

Sgt. Philip Krynsky, a department spokesman, said Thursday that Kurtenbach’s reassignment “is neither a promotion nor a demotion.”

“In order to allow the incoming interim police chief to select their own executive assistant chief, the role will be temporarily vacated effective July 25 and the duties disbursed amongst the assistant chiefs,” Krynsky told KTAR News in an email.

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