James Gregory, Supervisor and Chairman of Yabapai County District 2. [R] He had resigned after being announced on Facebook on Wednesday, January 29th, accepting Williams’ position as police chief.
“So now I’m off the board and going up to Williams, then moving on,” Gregory said. “I have a history in law enforcement and enjoyed serving the community with that ability, so I was planning to quit in the Williams area anyway. [there]. So the position opened earlier than I expected. When it went, I applied for it and this is where we want to retire. ”
The Williams posting job offers a salary range of $103,272 to $131,810. Gregory was interviewed in December. Gregory said he plans to file his resignation letter with the Yavapai County Recorder on Tuesday, Feb. 4th.
His successor, according to state law, must be a Republican, and will be appointed by the remaining board to serve until the 2026 general election. After that election, seats will rise again for the election in 2028.
Gregory previously worked at the Prescott Valley Police Station for 25 years before resigning in November 2020.
“[Gregory] He was tasked with numerous duties in PVPD, including eu on patrol, K-9 and patrol, who was in charge of managing SWAT operations,” his county biography said.
Former police chief Tad Weagal has worked for the city of Williams for 28 years, including the first police chief since 2021, and was also the head coach of the Williams High School football team.
“I’ll probably cast a shadow [Wygal] Now…and I will move from the board within the next three or four weeks,” Gregory said.
“The decision came after a rigorous hiring process that included multiple interviews, including a panel of Williams’ city members and community and law enforcement leaders,” Williams Mayor Tim Pettit said in a press release. “I am confident that Secretary Gregory’s experience and dedication to the law enforcement profession will be extremely beneficial to the Williams Police Department and the entire city of Williams.”
Gregory won the 2020 six Republican primary with 31% of the vote, followed by Wiley Klein at 19.5%, and Jody Rooney at 19%, then opposed the general election, and took office in 2021.
He was re-elected in 2024, defeating Klein again in the primary, running unopposed with the general, and was re-attacked on December 16th.
Gregory said he hopes his successor can confirm the expansion of Windmill Park in Cornville and supports the construction of broadband in District 2.
The expansion of the park has gone through the planning process of the National Environmental Policy Act. Red Rock Ranger District Ranger Alex Schulter said there is no estimated date for the process to be completed.
“[Gregory] Schluthern said: “This is obviously hardworking for him to communicate with us and he hasn’t been blessed with working professionally,” he said.
“I really enjoyed James’ leadership style and I’m disappointed that I can’t work with him for too long,” said District 3 manager Nikki Chek. “I hope he is the best, police work is in his heart and Williams is lucky to have him.”
Gregory said the long commute to Prescott would be part of the job he missed most.
“I hope I feel like I served them well. I have always been very respectful to the community and staff and have always given me 110% to the community,” Gregory said.
Yavapai County spokesman David McAtee said once Gregory submits his resignation letter, a timeline will be determined for him to appoint Gregory’s replacement.
“The board will issue a press release requesting stakeholders to submit letters of interest,” McAtee said. “The board will review these letters and issue a second press release in the names of those who submitted Intenest letters. Then, at a regular board of supervisory meeting, the board will hold public interviews with people of interest and choose someone to take the position of Gregory, the supervisor.”
Cline confirmed he is seeking appointment
