Tempe City Manager Andrew Ching went straight for broad and proven experience in law enforcement when he named Jeffrey Glover as Interim Police Chief in 2020. Jeff had spent 20 years on the Tempe Police Department force where he held roles in virtually every segment of the department’s operations. He had just retired last February as a police commander and had continued as a consultant when the call came to be Interim Chief. In August 2021, Interim Police Chief Jeffrey Glover was appointed to fill the permanent role of Police Chief.
“Jeff is a consummate professional who has impressive public safety credentials and experience, is well respected by residents and peers, and has a unique ability to collaborate and bring people together,” Ching said with the announcement.
After completing police academy training as a recruit in 1998, Jeff Glover spent seven months as a patrol officer for the Mesa Police Department, then headed to Tempe PD in October 1999 as a patrol officer with all the tasks that go with it. That led to a long series of roles that came with department assignments and promotions. They included patrol field officer, narcotics detective, crime prevention detective, then duties as a sergeant in the Patrol Division. For a time in 2012, he was the Tempe PD’s media relations sergeant.
In the ensuing years, Chief Glover spent 2 ½ years as a lieutenant for the Patrol Division, serving as the uniformed watch commander for citywide police operations. For a year, he was acting commander for the Professional Standards Bureau, then a year as a lieutenant in management of the Detention Facility.
In May 2018, Jeff was named the Commander for criminal cases and special investigations and the SWAT unit, overseeing all investigative units with 115 employees altogether. He continued in that role until his retirement after 20 years in the Police Department in February 2020.
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey appointed him as a commissioner for the Arizona Commission on African-American Affairs. He was its justice committee chair. Its purposes were to provide education to legislators, address town halls and provide guidance on public policy development. Jeff served as commission chairman, emphasizing the six areas of focus: justice, healthcare, business, sustainability, youth, and education.
Jeff Glover was the Law Enforcement liaison for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In that role, he provided expert analysis and feedback for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and the International Association of Police Chiefs.
Other roles served have been as a member of the city’s Equity in Action Committee; Family Justice Committee; and Use of Force Committee. He was a Media Relations Team member and Peer Support Team leader. Jeff created the Tempe 101 Mentoring Group focused on guiding women in careers in law enforcement. He has been a trainer in Safety Through Communications for some 600 employees (sworn and professional staff) in areas of race, culture, and diversity education.
Jeff earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Northern Arizona University (2014), a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Phoenix (2018); and a number of professional certificates: Criminal Justice Certificate from the University of Virginia, FBI Command School (2016), and University of Arizona Eller School Certificate in Government Leadership.
He earned a Neighbor of the Year Award from the North Tempe Neighborhood Association (2010); the Supervisor of the Year Award from the Arizona Black Law Enforcement Employees (2013); the 101 Network Team Award (2014); and the Sheriff Bass Reeves Supervisor of the Year Award (2013). Chief Glover has been a member of the board of directors of the East Valley Boys and Girls Club, as well as the board of the Arizona Women’s Initiative Network. He is past president of the Arizona chapter of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, including regional leadership roles. He holds membership in 10 organizations related to law enforcement. The Chief and his wife Tracy have three children.
–Lawn Griffiths