Gov. Ducey taps 5 for Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board

PHOENIX – Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey appointed five members to the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board on Thursday, including Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams.

Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes, Eloy Police Chief Christopher Vasquez, Coconino County Detention Services Commander Matthew Figueroa and Arizona State University Professor Kevin Robinson were also added to the board.

The 13-member board works to foster public trust through maintaining standards of integrity, competence and professionalism for the state’s peace officers and correctional officers by providing a curriculum for all certified law enforcement training facilities, according to the release.

“As always, the safety of Arizonans and our communities remains a top priority,” Ducey said in the release. “It’s crucial that AZPOST members and all law enforcement personnel have the resources, training, and knowledge needed to protect Arizonans and enforce the rule of law.

“Today’s appointees bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the board, and I’m confident they will serve civilians and law enforcement professionals well.”

Established in 1968, the board provides services to more than 150 agencies that encompass 14,500 sworn police officers, 6,500 correctional officers and 16 training academies, according to the release.

The board also works to address the need for minimum peace officer selection, recruitment and retention.

State Democrats in June asked for more diversity on the board amid protests following the in-custody deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Dion Johnson in Arizona.

The release said Ducey met with community leaders where similar recommendations were stated and the appointments on Thursday reflect those recommendations.

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