Commander Dan Shellum joined the Chandler Police Department in 2005 and graduated from the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy in January 2006. Inspired by his father, who was also an officer, Commander Shellum looked up to him and knew law enforcement was the profession he wanted to join.
Commander Shellum spent the first six years of his career assigned to the Field Operations Division where he served as a patrol officer and field training officer. In 2011, he was selected to serve as a detective in the Criminal Apprehension Unit that is responsible for locating and apprehending wanted suspects for misdemeanor and felony crimes.
In 2015, Commander Shellum was promoted to sergeant and was assigned to the Field Operations Division as a patrol sergeant. During his time as a patrol sergeant, he supervised teams in the Chandler Heights and Desert Breeze Precincts. In 2017, he was selected to serve as the sergeant for the Narcotics Unit where he oversaw large scale narcotics investigations which included multi-national drug trafficking organizations.
In 2018, Commander Shellum was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and returned to the Field Operations Division to serve as a Patrol Watch Commander. After serving two years in this position, Commander Shellum was selected as the Special Investigations Section Lieutenant. This position oversees investigations and operations within the Narcotics, Gang, Vice/Human Trafficking and Criminal Intelligence Units.
In 2022, Commander Shellum was assigned to the Operational Support Bureau to serve as the lieutenant for the Training Unit and newly created Health and Wellness Program.
In January 2024, Commander Shellum was promoted to Commander where he currently serves as the Downtown Precinct Commander overseeing patrol operations of officers, sergeants and lieutenants.
Commander Shellum is a true leader who is committed to making a positive impact in the department and the community. As a commander, he is driven by the fact that his position gives him a voice to serve as an agent who can inspire the positive change needed to continue the Chandler Police Department’s legacy as a top tier law enforcement agency.
Commander Shellum is a recipient of the Chief’s Award of Excellence. He currently serves on the Citizen’s Use of Force Board and the Human Rights Commission, and the Chandler Public Safety Pension Board.
He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Law Enforcement from Metropolitan State University and a Master of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Arizona State University.