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Surprise Police has 3 finalists for chief

City to select from Morin, Becher, Valenzuela for top job

Former Surprise Police Chief Benny Pina speaks to reporters after a high-profile stabbing of a Surprise McDonald’s employee in 2024.

Independent Newsmedia/Jason Stone

Three members of the Surprise Police Department, including the interim chief, interviewed for the city’s open police chief position on Tuesday.

Interim Chief Charles Morin and lieutenants Evan Becher and Patrick Valenzuela were named finalists for the job after they and three others conducted the first round of interviews on Monday.

The city is hoping to have a replacement for Benny Pina by June. Pina retired earlier this month after four years on the job.

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