When the City of Surprise selected Peoria Deputy Police Chief Benny Piña to serve as the neighboring city’s next police chief, well, some were surprised. But more than that, they are sad to see him go.
Mental and behavioral health advisor Kelly Carbello has worked with Mr. Piña on mental health calls and coordination with a psychiatric urgent care center near the downtown police department, as well as community school safety projects that were postponed due to the pandemic.
He also worked with the Arizona Mental Health & Criminal Justice Coalition, and is known, Ms. Carbello said, for showing up and doing what he says he’s going to do. This may not seem like a big deal, but she said her community gets a lot of lip service and empty promises.
