- Local
- Community
- Journalism
Support the independent voice of Phoenix and help keep the future of New Times free.
Public Safety Manager Jack Harris retains some of his duties as police chief, but Executive Assistant Police Chief Joe Yahner becomes Acting Police Chief in the wake of a scandal over inflated border-related kidnapping statistics reported to the federal government, it was announced today.
Phoenix City Manager David Cavazos' office said Harris will have oversight of homeland security issues (as New Times previously reported) and of security of City Hall and other municipal buildings.
Mark Spencer, president of the Police Law Enforcement Association, which represents rank-and-file Phoenix cops, alleges that police managers intentionally inflated border-related kidnapping statistics to get federal grants.
The Phoenix Police Department later issued the following information on Yahner:
Joseph Yahner was born and raised in Phoenix and has been with the Phoenix Police Department for approximately 26 years. Joe's formal education includes an undergraduate degree from Arizona State University and a Masters degree from the University of Phoenix. Throughout his career, he has worked in several Patrol Precincts and a variety of specialty assignments.
He was promoted to commander in 1999 and has been assigned to the City Manager's Office, Traffic Bureau, Property Crimes Bureau, and the Maryvale Precinct. In 2007, he was promoted to Assistant Chief and assigned to the Homeland Security Division where he had overall responsibility for the Super Bowl, NBA All-Star game, and opening of Light Rail. On June 1, 2009, Chief Yahner was promoted to the Executive Assistant Chief.
Keep Phoenix New Times Free... Since we started Phoenix New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we would like to keep it that way. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Phoenix with no paywalls.
