The Growth of a City and its Police Department
Law enforcement has always been woven into the fabric of Chandler’s century-plus-old history. County constables kept the peace during the late 19th century, when Canadian veterinary surgeon Dr. Alexander John Chandler acquired 18,000 acres of land south of Mesa. This land would eventually blossom into the vibrant community Chandler PD serves and protects today.
Dr. Chandler eventually became the town’s first mayor, and on March 9, 1920 he and the City Clerk signed an ordinance giving the town Marshal duties as “Chief of Police,” and “Watchman.” Charles Malone was named the First Marshal and served as a one-man “Police Force” until March 24, 1921.
A second watchman was later added and served as “Night Watchman” with the Marshal being the “Day Watchman.” The County Constable also enforced laws in Chandler along with surrounding areas of his district, including Gilbert.
In 1923, the Chandler Police Department moved into the city’s first City Hall, located at the northwest corner of Arizona Avenue and Chicago Street. The 4,800-square-foot facility, dedicated on February 5, housed the Police Department and jail, the Mayor’s office, City Clerk, City Council Chambers, and the Magistrate Court.
By 1948, the Department had grown to a four-man team of Watchmen who, for the first time, wore uniforms. These early uniforms consisted of light blue shirts, navy pants, and a dark blue eight-point hat. There were no uniform patches in those early years, and officers had to purchase their own clothing, gun belts, and duty weapons.
In 1973, the Police and Fire Departments briefly merged to form the Chandler Department of Public Safety. During this time, some firefighters were trained as Reserve Police Officers, while some officers were cross-trained as firefighters. Patrol units even carried basic firefighting equipment. Though the departments eventually returned to their original structures in 1977, they continue to collaborate closely on many calls to this day.
In March 1970, the Police Department moved into a new facility that also housed the City Magistrate Court, Chandler Justice of the Peace Court, and City Council Chambers—used as a courtroom for jury trials. This new complex included a modern crime laboratory, a communications center, and a 100-bed maximum-security jail, considered one of the most advanced in the state at the time.
By 1990, Chandler’s population had grown to nearly 90,000, prompting another wave of upgrades to public safety infrastructure and technology. In December of that year, the Communications Section moved into the second floor of the Police/Fire Headquarters at 221 East Boston Street. The Department implemented a trunked 800 MHz radio system and adopted Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD), reinforcing its commitment to technological leadership in law enforcement.
The crime lab was also modernized, incorporating digital photography and AFIS—the Automated Fingerprint Identification System—including the Livescan inkless fingerprinting technology.
The mid-90s brought exponential population growth to the once small farming community. By the turn of the century, more than 175,000 people called Chandler home and the city would upgrade its facilities to keep pace. In late 1998, the Chandler Police Department moved to its current home at 250 East Chicago Street. This modern facility includes a state-of-the-art crime lab, an advanced communications center, and houses several critical divisions including Investigations, Field Operations, and Professional Services. It also serves as one of three police precincts in Chandler, alongside the Chandler Heights and Desert Breeze Precincts.
Today, the Chandler Police Department is a professional agency of nearly 350 sworn officers and 200 civilian employees, serving a diverse and growing community of almost 300,000 residents. Rooted in a tradition of innovation, growth, transparency, and community partnership, the Department remains committed to continuous improvement and excellence in service. These principles will continue to guide the vision of leadership today and into the future.
A History of Chandler Police Chiefs
Although a handful of Town Marshals served as “Watchmen” in the City of Chandler prior to 1941, Roy Wolfe is widely recognized as the first official Chief of the Chandler Police Force. At that time, Chief Wolfe led a modest four-man team—an organization that would grow significantly under the leadership of those who followed.
Chief Roy Wolfe (1941-1951)
Chief Robert Womack (1951-1953)
Chief Ivan Williams (1953-1956)
Chief William Carolin (1956-1956)
Chief Ivan Williams (1956-1960)
Chief Ralph Anderson (1960-1962)
Chief Charles Shipley (1962-1964)
Chief William Louthan (1964-1979)
Chief Ronald Oberholtzer (1979-1980)
Chief Ronald Danielson (1980-1993)
Chief Bobby Harris (1994-2003)
Chief Sherry Kiyler (2004-2013)
Chief Sean Duggan (2014-2024)
Chief Bryan Chapman (2024 – Present)