Safford promotes from within, names Avila new Police Chief

Safford Police Captain Brian Avila - Contributed Photo

SAFFORD — The City of Safford announced a change in agenda for Thursday’s Police Chief candidate meet and greet.

Instead of meeting the two finalists for the job, the public is invited to talk with the city’s new Police Chief, Brian Avila.

The meet and greet with Avila will take place Thursday, May 18, at 6 p.m., in the Safford Library’s programming room.

Avila, a 17-year veteran of the Safford Police Department and currently a captain in the force, will go before the City Council for final approval of promotion at the May 22 regular meeting.

In a prepared statement, “Avila describes his leadership style as fluid, which includes adapting to situations in order to better serve the needs of the individual and team.”

He has 22 years of law enforcement experience, having also worked for his hometown Clifton Police Department and the Arizona Department of Corrections.

During his time with the Safford Police Department, he worked as a patrol officer and a patrol sergeant before his promotion to captain in 2020. He holds an Associate’s Degree from Eastern Arizona College, an Administration of Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Bellevue University, and has leadership training from the AZPOST and FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association.

Avila was one of two finalists for the position, along with Jason Brei, who currently serves as the Assistant Chief for the University of Arizona Police Department. However, both television station KSL in Salt Lake City and Utah Public Radio reported on May 11 that Brei has been named the new chief for the Utah State University Police Department.

The two news outlets report Brei will start his tenure with Utah State on July 1.

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