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Police chief announces resignation; city introduces incoming recorder and promotes notification center
Summary
The city announced the police chief's formal resignation (effective November 2026); council and staff praised the chief's service. Staff introduced Joe Verer (incoming city recorder) and urged residents to use the website notification center and QR signage to follow planning actions.
City staff announced at the meeting that the police chief submitted a formal resignation letter effective November 2026. Mr. Swanson read the letter into the record, which thanked colleagues and community partners and offered assistance to ensure a smooth transition. Council members and staff publicly thanked the chief for long service to Phoenix.
"Please accept this letter as a formal resignation from the position of the police chief," the read letter said, and went on to describe service since 2008 and gratitude for departmental accomplishments. Council members responded with applause and remarks of thanks.
Staff also introduced an incoming staff member: Joe Verer, who said he grew up locally, holds a bachelor's degree in community development and has worked in human services, including intellectual and developmental disability services. He said he is bilingual (English/Spanish) and nearing completion of a master's in public administration.
Separately, staff urged residents to use the city's website 'notification center' for agendas, meeting notices and planning‑application links. Staff described site QR signage (18x24 signs placed at project locations with a scannable link) and explained that land‑use mailed notice is sent to properties within 200 feet of an application, while the online map provides wider visibility. Staff noted that broader automated notifications for every planning action would be resource intensive and that neighborhood distribution lists can be used to target specific community groups.
What happens next: The city will accept the chief’s resignation and proceed with transition planning; staff will publish the parks map in GIS, continue to schedule public tours and briefings, and promote the notification center to increase public awareness of planning actions.
