The ceremony for Police Chief Matt Giordano will happen downtown at the Phoenix City Council Chambers at 10 a.m.<\/p>\n
PHOENIX \u2014 Thursday morning, new Phoenix Police Chief Matt Giordano is getting ready to be sworn in at a ceremony downtown.<\/p>\n
He took over one of the largest police departments in the country a little more than two weeks ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Giordano has already been very busy in his role. He said he’s been working on hiring and supporting officers. On 12+ Wednesday morning, he shared how the department is building some positive momentum.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just getting the word out,” Giordano said. “I’ve noticed the pendulum has shifted. We’re getting twice as many applications as we did this time last year. We’ve created a better process. Our team in employment services is doing a phenomenal job, but just going out there and connecting with the community. Also, it’s a shift in society. I think more young men and women want to become police officers.”<\/p>\n
Giordano tells 12News he wants to leave a lasting impact on the department.<\/p>\n
“When I finally retire from police work, I would love to say we have a fully staffed police department of highly qualified, highly trained members that provide excellent service to the community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He is the first permanent Phoenix Police Chief since 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Giordano had a long career with Phoenix PD before going on to work at the Maricopa County Sheriff\u2019s Office, and the State Peace Officer’s Board. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Now back at the department for the first time in eight years, he said he needs roughly 600 more officers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While Giordano believes the future of the department is looking bright, he said he\u2019s working to build trust with his officers.<\/p>\n
“Now it’s just reconnecting with the people I worked with for all those years. Letting them know they’re valued,” he stated. “I will listen to their voice, take their suggestions and will work with the community to make the Phoenix Police Department even better.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new police chief also wants to build trust within the community.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to make sure people see me. I need to be leading from the front and engaging with them,” Giordano said. “I want to role model good behavior. That’s why I feel it’s very important for me to get out there as soon as possible.”<\/p>\n
Giordano is getting sworn in at the Phoenix City Council Chambers at 10 a.m. on Thursday.<\/p>\n