Chris Pérez

Assistant Chief of Police- Investigations Division Criminal Investigations Media Relations Forensic Services Support Services

»» Charged with building a high-engagement culture, turning around a historically underperforming organization by influencing change, elevating expectations, and mentoring team members to embrace accountability and empowerment. »» Oversee daily precinct operations, working diligently to allocate fiscal and human capital resources to optimize service across a 36-square-mile region with 89K residents. »» Drove a sharp increase in officer productivity, expanding community contacts from 2 to 222, increasing traffic stops by 250%, improving ranking from 4th to 2nd in Calls for Service taken, and going from 6th (last place) to 1st in tickets issued. »» Initiated a leadership discussion group open to all levels of leaders, creating this bimonthly leadership development forum to encourage leaders to “lead from where they are” as a critical piece of the performance improvement strategy. »» Shape preparedness and response through leadership of and participation in the Use of Force Board, Citizens’ Panel for Review of Police Complaints and Use of Force, Muslim Police Advisory Board, and the internal Wellness Program.

»» Championed continuous improvement to achieve operational excellence throughout a 90-member team, managing the execution of a $400K budget and steering actions across diverse units: Bike Team, Community Services, Criminal Apprehension, Detention Services, DUI, K-9, Motor, Park Ranger, Police Cadet, SRO, SWAT, Training, Traffic, and Vehicular Crimes. »» Focused extensively on training and development, incorporating technology to create dynamic simulation-based and VR training programs. »» Re-engineered the Rapid Deployment Unit, introducing an unprecedented focus on training and implementing new policies, processes, and protocols to improve responses to unrest, including large group gatherings, protests, and mass arrests. »» Oversaw the Volunteers in Policing Program, hiring and providing leadership to a new Volunteer Coordinator in managing 50+ volunteer team members who augment personnel resources and contribute to operational effectiveness. »» Transformed training from a static to a dynamic program, positioning individual sergeants to oversee Field Training Units and creating an invaluable feedback loop that informed continuous improvement and shaped curriculum. »» Challenged the status quo to catalyze improvements, capturing significant cost savings—without compromising quality— by transforming a sworn officer role into a professional employee position and leveraging emerging tech for training. »» Planned and managed safety and security readiness for major citywide special events—including the multiday Chandler Ostrich Festival, drawing 350K attendees—engaging as Incident Commander for scheduled and impromptu events.

»» Oversaw all Gang, Criminal Intelligence, Narcotics, and Human Trafficking investigations, planning and executing operations, conducting comprehensive threat assessments, engaging in asset seizures, and managing the confidential informant program. »» Held accountability for crime control fund and issuance, analyzing opportunities and holding ultimate decision authority for the distribution of payments— often in the six-figure range—to investigation-critical informants.

Expanded the Honor Guard by 8 team members to provide final honors for fallen or retired officers, facilitating color guard details for public events around the State of Arizona, and traveling to the nation’s capital annually to attend National Police Week. »» Implemented an Officer-in-Charge Program to spread decision-making across the team, improving empowerment and autonomy, elevating engagement and ownership, and transforming unit into a high-performance organization.

»» Led patrol operations as day shift Watch Commander, providing training, mentorship, and on-demand coaching for sergeants, officers, and civilian personnel to improve operational efficiency, team productivity, and community engagement. »» Continued development of the Chandler Police Department Leadership Cohort, developing original curriculum, lessons, and training materials to build a world-class department with team members serving as leaders in law enforcement.

»» Directed cases of sexually motivated crimes against children and adults, serving as on-call supervisor for all Persons Crimes—also Interim Computer Crimes Unit Supervisor—and co-coordinating the State of Arizona Child Abduction Response Team (AZCART). »» Co-taught with partner and invited to join with FBI as a force multiplier in response to high-profile kidnapping case, leveraging lessons learned throughout tenure to develop curriculum and build the Chandler Police Leadership Cohort.

»» Scheduled, delegated, and evaluated performance of a team of 7, ensuring total compliance with department policies and procedures, identifying opportunities for improvement, and promoting evidence-based policing practices.

»» Curated, analyzed, and disseminated criminal and counter-terrorism intelligence to local, state, and federal stakeholders, providing timely information to command staff concerning criminal activities, trends, and threat assessments.

»» Directed several high-visibility investigations—one of which now serves as an FBI Case Study—managing investigative strategies, planning surveillance, securing search warrants, and conducting numerous local and national media interviews.

»» Developed and implemented the Wilderness Youth Experience Program, introducing junior high school students to a wide range of challenges fostering self-discovery, confidence, and an appreciation for nature and their community.

»» Revised Escort Ordinance to address human trafficking, presented to City Council for passage, not only driving $30K in fines in the following year but, more importantly, reducing Calls for Service and improving community outreach and relations.

»» Selected, following an extensive application and audition process, to join this national organization and facilitate implicit bias awareness training for professional audiences, engaging with clients, including the New York and Chicago Police Departments. »» Engage audiences to uncover hidden biases and the impact of perception and behavior, presenting often-sensitive content in a nonthreatening manner and weaving real-life experience into training curriculum to foster buy-in and change.

»» Designed curriculum, lesson plans, lectures, and evaluation tools for diverse learners—ranging from traditional students to those pursuing career changes—seeking careers in law enforcement, social work, criminal justice, and advocacy arenas. »» Instructed up to 2 classes per semester with 20+ students each, teaching Interview and Interrogation, Child Abuse Investigations, Victimology & Crisis Management, Criminal Investigation, Police Function, and Community Relations courses.

»» Co-launched entrepreneurial venture—as one of five owners—developing and promoting original curriculum, and securing key contracts to facilitate law enforcement and security training to U.S. federal and municipal law enforcement agencies.