On February 23, 2016, the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission (ACJC) announced that Chandler Police Chief Sean Duggan was elected as the Commission’s new Chairperson and Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk was elected as Vice-Chairperson at the Commission’s January meeting. Both will serve a two year term in their respective positions.
“Chief Duggan and County Attorney Polk bring a tremendous amount of criminal justice experience and knowledge to their leadership positions at the Commission,” said John A. Blackburn, Jr., Executive Director of the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission. “I look forward to working with them to support our work to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of Arizona’s criminal justice system.”
Chief Sean Duggan was appointed as the Chief of Police for the City of Chandler on January 13, 2014 after serving 27 years with the Scottsdale Police Department. Chief Duggan brought with him a wealth of knowledge and experience, having worked assignments in patrol, investigations, SWAT, and other specialties at levels from officer to Assistant Chief.
Under Chief Duggan’s leadership, the Chandler Police Department has made great strides towards becoming a world-class leader in 21st century policing by engaging the best trained, equipped, and committed professionals and by employing the best practices in policing. Chandler remains one of the nation’s top ten safest cities with populations over 200,000 residents. Chief Duggan was appointed by Governor Ducey to serve on the ACJC in April of 2016.
“It’s an honor to be selected as Chair of ACJC,” said Sean Duggan, Chief of the Chandler Police Department. “I look forward to working with the criminal justice community as we enhance the quality of life of our citizens.”
Sheila Polk became the first woman to be elected to the position of Yavapai County Attorney in November of 2000, and is currently serving her fourth term in that position. She is Chair of APAAC, the Arizona Prosecuting Attorneys Advisory Council, past president of the Arizona County Attorneys and Sheriffs Association, and was appointed by Governor Jan Brewer to serve on ACJC in May of 2012.
Ms. Polk, County Attorney for Yavapai County, is a native Arizonan who received her Bachelor’s Degree and Law Degree from Arizona State University in Tempe. After clerking for Arizona Supreme Court Justice Jack Hays, Ms. Polk served in the Arizona Attorney General’s Office for eleven years before moving to Yavapai County in 1994. There, she joined the Yavapai County Attorney’s Office where she specialized in the prosecution of felony crimes, including elder abuse, sexual offenses and repeat felony offenders
“I am honored to have been elected by my peers to serve as Vice-Chair of ACJC,” said Sheila Polk, Yavapai County Attorney. “The organization has an outstanding representation for its research and administration of important criminal justice dollars. Together, our focus is to maximize those dollars and the research to enhance public safety throughout Arizona.”