By Police1 Staff
PHOENIX — The Phoenix Police Department swore in Jeri Williams as the first female police chief of the department Friday afternoon, News12 reported.
“I have been given so much by so many of you here in this room, as well as outside those doors,” Williams said. “It is now required of me to step out on faith, leadership, experience and grace and lead this agency forward into a bright future.”
Williams was an officer in Oxnard, California since 2011, but has worked with the Phoenix police before as assistant chief.
She praised her predecessor, Chief Joe Yahner, for his leadership during “tough times as a police chief.”
‘I. Am. Your. Chief.': Jeri Williams, Phoenix’s first female police chief, now on duty: https://t.co/JNEJU8H4bh via @meganrcassidy pic.twitter.com/I3TTvHypcl
— azcentral (@azcentral) October 29, 2016
Williams told the station her priority as chief will be to change negative perceptions the public holds by increasing community policing.
“The mission of the Phoenix Police Department is this: To serve, protect and reduce crime in Phoenix while treating everyone with dignity and respect, " Williams said.
An OKC police detective joins Alan Williams to watch his mother, Jeri, being sworn in as Phoenix police chief. pic.twitter.com/fQYnjYake5
— Paul Coro (@paulcoro) October 28, 2016