Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher has appointed Acting Chief Joe Yahner as the permanent police chief. Yahner has been the acting chief since December of 2014 and after Chief Daniel V. Garcia was fired for insubordination in December.
Garcia was fired after he defied an order from the city manager to not hold a press conference. Garcia ignored the orders and held a press conference in which he criticized city leaders and demanded a 2-year contract.
Yahner began with the department 30 years ago and worked his way up until he was promoted to commander in 1999. He was assigned to the City Manager’s office, the 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 oversaw the Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game and opening of the Light Rail. In 2009 he was promoted to Executive Assistant Chief and served as the Acting Police Chief from March 2011 through May 2012.
Yahner was born and raised in Phoenix and received his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University and his Master’s degree from the University of Phoenix.