Phoenix City Council on Tuesday, Aug. 31 unanimously approved the contract of new Interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan, who will begin the job today.
Sullivan’s salary will be $232,000 along with other benefits. City Manager Jeff Barton says he expects Sullivan to serve in the interim role for 12 to 24 months, which will include an extensive six- to nine-month process to select a permanent chief.
One of Sullivan’s key roles will be to guide the department through its ongoing investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. DOJ is investigating Phoenix police for a range of possible offenses, including discriminatory policing, retaliation against residents for exercising their First Amendment rights and unlawfully seizing or disposing of homeless people’s belongings.
