Retiring Chief Wil Price Leaves Behind a Legacy of Police Analytics Bureau Challenges in Tempe

After serving as the manager of the Police Analytics Bureau in the Tempe Police Department for two years, Wil Price has announced his retirement. Prior to his current role, Price had a long history with the department as a sworn officer from 1982 to 2003, where he retired as a sergeant.

Price’s tenure in the Police Analytics Bureau has been marked by ongoing issues within several units, including the Forensic Services Unit and Technical Services Unit. Recently, former police officer Anthony Chiaro filed a Notice of Claim alleging retaliation for whistleblowing on problems within the Technical Services Unit, such as misuse of public funds and equipment. Despite these challenges, Chiaro worked in the unit for nearly a decade and raised concerns about new equipment sitting unused for years.

In addition to these issues, the Forensic Services Unit has also faced challenges with crime scene technicians lacking proper equipment and standards. However, despite these challenges, Chief Kenneth McCoy is focused on improving and transforming the Tempe Police Department into a top-tier agency. McCoy’s priorities include combating street racing, reducing serious injury collisions, and opening a Real-Time Operations Center in the near future. Interviews on these topics may be scheduled for a future date.