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      City of Phoenix Announces Police Chief Finalists Ahead of Public Forum

      police chief

      March 14, 2025

      Human Resources

      ​The City of Phoenix is advancing the process of naming a permanent Police Chief, presen​ting four finalists for the position. 

      The finalists were chosen after a nationwide search that began in December, enlisting the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) to conduct the search. The City and PERF gathered information during stakeholder listening sessions. Business leaders, neighborhood groups, community leaders, labor groups and other key stakeholders shared what they think are the important characteristics of the department’s top leader. 

      The City and PERF used that information during a national search for the most qualified candidates. Applicants were screened and semi-finalists were interviewed on March 3. The list of candidates was pared down to the following four finalists:  

      Ed DeCastro
      Ed DeCastro has spent 24 years with the Phoenix Police Department. He is currently an Assistant Chief over investigations. Prior to his current role, he worked in multiple precincts, as well as specialty roles including homicide, training, and family investigations. A former middle school math teacher, DeCastro has a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education from Florida State University and a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. He has been married for more than 20 years and has one daughter.
      Casey Johnson
      Casey Johnson has 23 years experience as member of the Oakland, California Police Department. He is currently a Deputy Chief overseeing Field Operations and Special Operations. He has previous experience in training, internal affairs, and patrol. Johnson has four sisters, including a twin. A former college football player, he remains an avid sports enthusiast. He also holds a Bachelor of Science from Sonoma State University in Business Administration and a Master of Public Safety from the University of Virginia. 
      Michael Sullivan
      Michael Sullivan is the current interim Police Chief of the Phoenix Police Department, a role he’s held since 2022. His previous experience includes time as the Deputy Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department and 24 years with the Louisville Metro Police Department in Kentucky where he worked in various assignments including patrol, public integrity, and narcotics. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Police Administration and a Master of Science in Administration of Justice both from University of Louisville. ​​
      Ed Wessing
      Ed Wessing has been with the Mesa Police Department for 29 years, joining after serving six years in the United States Marine Corp. He serves as Assistant Chief leading training, human resources, fiscal, community relations and forensics. Wessing has a bachelor's degree in education from Northern Arizona University and an MBA from Benedictine University.  Active in the community, Wessing is President of the Board of Directors for Arizona Disabled Sports & Mesa Association of Sports for the Disabled.
      All four will appear at a public forum on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, giving members of the public an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, addressing questions submitted by the community. 
       
      The moderated public forum will be held at the Phoenix City Council Chambers, beginning at 5 pm. It will also air on PHXTV and will be streamed live on YouTube. During the forum, the candidates will have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the community and answer as many questions as possible. 
       
      The community still has time to submit feedback and potential questions to the candidates: 
      The permanent Phoenix Police Chief is expected to be announced next month.