SAFORD — If his promotion to Safford Police Chief is approved by the city council on Monday, Brian Avila will become the first Hispanic in Graham County history to head law enforcement.
Absolutely; no question. It’s about how willing you are to work for them,” Avila said.
Avila, who earned degrees from Eastern Arizona University and Bellevue University and was trained to train FBI law enforcement officers, was elected by city official John Casera as the city’s new police chief, awaiting congressional approval. there is
At a public meeting at the Safford Library on Thursday, Avila, now the agency’s chief and interim director, outlined the agency’s short- and long-term plans.
He said promoting officers already in the division to captains is a priority under the short-term goals. He also hopes to develop a succession plan for the posts of chief secretary and chief secretary.
In the long term, the government hopes to increase the number of police officers to 28 by 2029 and military personnel to 4 by 2026. He also said he plans to implement a training plan with the ministry’s investigative department’s successor.
He said he hopes to start a police academy for citizens this fall and wants to revitalize the Police Explorer program for young people in the area as a way to help train new police officers.
Five generations of Avila’s family came to see his presentation. His father Larry is a former Greenlee County Sheriff. his brothers. two of his children; and her 15-month-old granddaughter, Aubriella. He believed he had the support of his family in moving up the ranks.
“When you sign on to this career… your family signs on with you. You need a strong support system,” he said.
