Police Chief Jeffrey Glover will leave Tempe in February to become the next director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the city manager said a replacement search will "move quickly" to find a successor.

Gov. Katie Hobbs announced Nov. 17 that Glover will become the new DPS director. His last day in Tempe with will be Feb. 13.

City Manager Andrew Ching will appoint an interim police chief as soon as possible, according to a  release.

After appointing an interim chief, Ching said he intends "to move quickly . . . to appoint a permanent new chief," the release stated.

“Public safety in Tempe is of primary importance. We will ensure the continuity of our excellent police services while expeditiously and thoughtfully selecting a new chief to working alongside the community and lead the department into the future,” Ching said.

Glover, who is Tempe’s first African American police chief, retired as a commander with the department in early 2020 and was appointed interim chief in late 2020, becoming permanent in 2021.

He has served on the Arizona Commission for African American Affairs and was recently elected second vice president of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives.

“Chief Glover has served Tempe for more than 22 years, including as police chief for two exceptional years,” Ching said.

“He has charted a distinguished career in law enforcement that now will continue at the state level. On behalf of the city organization, we wish him well and thank him for his stellar service to Tempe.”

Mayor Corey Woods said Glover was a "consummate professional" during his time in Tempe, the release stated.

“Chief Glover has served Tempe with honor and distinction over more than two decades, working his way through the ranks from patrol officer to sergeant to lieutenant to commander to chief," Woods said.

"It is no surprise that someone of such character and skill would be invited to serve at the highest levels of law enforcement. As mayor, as a Tempe resident and, frankly, as a friend, I want to express my sincere appreciation and best wishes to the chief.”