Oro Valley Prepares to Welcome New Police Chief
Exciting times are ahead for Oro Valley! The Town Council is gearing up to welcome Commander Kara M. Riley as the new police chief, pending approval at their upcoming meeting on February 5. If everything goes as planned, Commander Riley will take the reins from Chief Danny Sharp, who is retiring after serving our community with dedication for 20 years and a total of 40 years in law enforcement.
Mayor Joe Winfield expressed his enthusiasm about this important decision, saying, “We were fortunate to have so many qualified candidates interested in leading our exceptional Police Department. Choosing the right police chief is one of our key responsibilities, and we’re thrilled about the possibility of appointing Commander Riley.”
Commander Riley has been with the Oro Valley Police Department since 2004, gaining extensive experience in various roles. She has been serving as a commander since 2017, and she’s currently in charge of field services. Before her time in Oro Valley, Riley worked with the Tucson Airport Authority as a police officer and sergeant for 11 years.
The search for a new police chief has been ongoing since September 2019, assisted by the Novak Consulting Group. The response was impressive, with 70 applications coming in from 31 states, the District of Columbia, and even some international candidates. Most applicants boasted an average of 27 years in law enforcement and a decade at the command level.
The Town Council meeting where the decision will be made is happening on February 5, starting at 6 p.m. at the Town Hall Council Chambers, located at 11000 N. La Cañada Drive. If you’re interested, check out the meeting agenda here.
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