The Tempe Police Department is in the process of restructuring its operations under the leadership of Chief Kenneth McCoy. This includes efforts to combat street racing, reduce serious injury collisions, and open a Real-Time Operations Center in the near future.
While these initiatives are being put in place, there have been some challenges within certain units of the department. The Technical Services Unit has faced criticism for misusing public funds and equipment, as well as for not properly utilizing new equipment that has been sitting unused for years.
Former police officer Anthony Chiaro has filed a Notice of Claim alleging retaliation for whistleblowing on these issues within the Technical Services Unit. He worked in the unit for nearly a decade and raised concerns about the misuse of public funds and equipment.
The Forensic Services Unit has also faced its own challenges, with crime scene technicians lacking proper equipment and standards. These issues have sparked debates about how to improve and transform the Tempe Police Department into a top-tier agency.
Despite these challenges, Wil Price, the manager of the Police Analytics Bureau within the Tempe Police Department, is retiring after two years on the job. He first served with the department as a sworn officer from 1982 to 2003 before returning as a professional staff member in 2022 to manage the bureau. It remains to be seen what changes will be made to address these issues within the department moving forward.