Jeff Glover Is Tempe's 1st African American Police Chief

TEMPE, AZ — Jeff Glover is Tempe's new permanent police chief. Glover served as the city's interim chief for nine months before being named to the role permanently, according to a news release from the city of Tempe.

Glover is the city's first African American police chief. He initially retired after serving 20 years on the Tempe police force before rejoining the department as interim chief in October 2020.

“I believe I already have the best person to lead the Tempe Police Department in Chief Glover,” City Manager Andrew Ching said in the news release. “Last year, he immediately got to work to advance the department internally and externally. Chief Glover is respected by Police employees, community members and his peers locally and nationally – we already have so much to build on for the future with Jeff.”

Ching appointed Glover to the job permanently after deciding that Glover’s performance in the interim role more than proved his ability to do the job.

Glover has a bachelor’s degree in education from Northern Arizona University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Phoenix. He began his career as a Mesa Police patrol officer in 1998 and after joined Tempe police in 1999. Glover served for around four years as a commander over areas such as the Professional Standards Bureau, Organizational Services Division and Criminal/Special Investigations and SWAT.

“I am humbled by the trust that you all – community members, fellow employees, City Manager Ching, and the City Council – have placed in me to lead this outstanding organization,” Glover said in the news release. “Protecting and serving as a Tempe Police Officer for over two decades has been a blessing and a privilege. To be selected as permanent Chief of Police is the honor of a lifetime.”

During his time as interim chief, Glover served as a member of Mayor Corey Woods’ Public Safety Advisory Task Force, which aimed to plan for the future of policing in Tempe and increase trust in policing. That work developed into a Community Safety strategic planning effort, which Glover and other department and city staff members are currently working on.

Since June 2018, Glover has served as a Governor-appointed commissioner on the Arizona Commission for African American Affairs. He has also served as a national board member and Arizona chapter member for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.

“We look forward to working with Chief Glover to make sure Tempe residents continue to have one of the best police departments in Arizona,” Sgt. Rob Ferraro, president of the Tempe Officers Association, said in the news release. “We have come to know and respect the Chief, and we know he will do everything he can to hire and retain excellent police officers, and to move the Tempe Police Department forward through some very challenging times for law enforcement.”