Photo courtesy of Tempe Police Department

Tempe City Manager Andrew Ching has announced the appointment of Kenneth McCoy as the new chief of the Tempe Police Department. McCoy, a retired police chief from Anchorage, Alaska, brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in law enforcement.

Kenneth McCoy retired in 2022 after serving 27 years with the Anchorage Police Department, including as police chief. His background includes a 10-year tenure in the Alaska Army National Guard, from which he was honorably discharged as a captain in 2000. McCoy holds a bachelor’s degree in justice from the University of Alaska Anchorage and a certificate in Leading Diversity from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the FBI National Executive Institute.

Ching expressed confidence in McCoy’s ability to lead the Tempe Police Department into the future, citing his law enforcement expertise, management skills, leadership abilities, and character.

McCoy currently serves as a chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer for Providence, a nonprofit healthcare organization in Alaska. During his time with the Anchorage Police Department, McCoy held command assignments in the Patrol Division, Detective Division, and Internal Affairs, with extensive experience in violent crimes as both a detective and a detective supervisor.

Excited about his new role, McCoy says, “I’m honored to be joining the Tempe Police Department as their new chief, and I can’t wait to connect with the community. Together, we’ll work to build an even safer, stronger, and more united Tempe.”
The search for a new chief began in February after former Chief Jeff Glover was appointed by Gov. Katie Hobbs to serve as the director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Tempe invited applications from internal and external candidates, with multiple forums held to gather feedback.

Tempe Officers Association President Sgt. Rob Ferraro expressed enthusiasm about working with Chief McCoy, sharing the goal of making Tempe an exemplary 21st-century police force.

Kenneth McCoy is set to begin his new role in Tempe on June 5.