On September 12, 2022, Interim Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan will officially take Jeri Williams’ place as Chief of the Phoenix Police Department. Williams’ decision to “retire early” comes in the wake of the nearly two year scandal and ongoing controversy following the Phoenix Police Department’s political targeting of protesters during the 2020 uprising for Black lives and independent investigation into her role in the 2017 neo-nazi challenge coin. Her decision to “retire” is also undoubtedly the result of strong, consistent community organizing against Williams’ dangerous leadership and the ongoing public pressure she has faced this past year.

During Jeri Williams’ tenure, cases of police violence, misconduct, and corruption dominated the news. Chief “chokehold” Williams, with the backing of Mayor Gallego, city council members, and other high ranking city officials, ignored, denied, and covered up this egregious misconduct until the only option left was to “retire early” in an attempt to escape accountability for a massive multi-agency cover-up that has rocked the city of Phoenix and Maricopa county since 2020. This is not a retirement, it’s a forced resignation. Our community called for Jeri Williams’ job and we celebrate this victory as another demand met.

Mass Liberation Arizona announced a press conference with community organizations, defense and civil attorneys, and directly impacted community members, to mark Jeri Williams’ last day as the chief of the nation’s deadliest police force and state what the community expects of her replacement.