In a warm and eventful Oro Valley Town Council meeting on February 5, 2020, Kara M. Riley was chosen to be the new Chief of Police, starting on February 22, 2020. She will take over from Chief Daniel G. Sharp, who is retiring after an impressive 20 years with Oro Valley and 40 years in law enforcement overall. The Mayor and Council couldn’t say enough good things about Kara, emphasizing her strong character and leadership skills.
Mayor Joe Winfield expressed his confidence in the decision, stating, “I believe this is the most important decision that this Council will make, and I believe this Council has made the right decision. I am so grateful for Commander Riley’s faithful and dedicated service. She has prepared for this moment, and we are proud to name her as the next chief of police.”
With many public safety officers, family, and friends present, Riley addressed the Council. “I’m profoundly honored to have been selected as your next chief of police and to lead one of the finest police departments in the nation. To Chief Danny Sharp, you are the epitome of what a genuine law enforcement professional is,” she said.
Mayor Winfield also praised Chief Sharp, acknowledging the strength of the internal candidates. “To his credit, of the 70 applicants we had, three of the internal candidates from OVPD were in the top 10. I think that speaks significantly to Chief Sharp and his leadership and mentoring,” he remarked.
Kara Riley has been with the Oro Valley Police Department since 2004 and became a commander in 2017, overseeing field services. Her career in law enforcement started back in 1992 after working in corrections for five years. Before joining Oro Valley, she served with the Tucson Airport Authority as a police officer and sergeant.
Riley’s role as a commander involves managing patrol, K-9 units, SWAT, and more. She has also managed support services, including criminal investigations and public safety communications. Her past responsibilities include serving as the chief’s executive officer, focusing on professional standards and training.
Kara holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s in education from the University of Arizona. She is also an alumna of the FBI National Academy and Northwestern University’s Police Staff and Command School. Her professional affiliations include the FBI National Academy Associates Arizona Chapter, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the National Public Information Officers Association.
On a personal note, Kara grew up in fascinating places like Taiwan, Abu Dhabi, and Sudan. Her father, a retired professor from the University of Arizona, specialized in environmental studies. She is a proud mother to an 18-year-old daughter and adores her six nieces and nephews.
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