Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams still unsure on retirement date

PHOENIX — Nearly four months after announcing her retirement, Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said Monday she still hasn’t pinned down a final day.

Michael Sullivan will take over as interim chief on Sept. 12 and Williams has pledged to stay on through the transition period.

“Once [Sullivan] is comfortable, I’m going take some necessary, needed time off and then I’ll make the announcement later on in the fall of when I’m leaving,” Williams told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show.

Williams, who was appointed as chief in October 2016, announced her retirement May 3 after 33 years with the force.

Sullivan was brought on, likely for 1-2 years, to see the department through the completion of an ongoing federal civil rights investigation.

Williams said Sunday’s incident where a man armed in tactical gear killed two people and injured two officers before likely taking his own life doesn’t change her retirement decision.

“So anytime these incidents happen from a chief’s perspective … it just takes a little piece of your soul and chips away at you a little bit,” Williams said.

Williams said she will remain a police asset after her retirement, especially on some of the more difficult days for the department.

“It makes me want to, as a community member, make sure that I can be a voice,” Williams said. “I can be of support to law enforcement and I can share all the things that we’ve built during my time as the Phoenix police chief will continue and will continue to get better.”

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