Phoenix gets first female police chief in its history


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PHOENIX (AP) — Officials say Jeri Williams has been chosen as Phoenix's new police chief, the first female to hold that job in the city's history.

She currently is the police chief in Oxnard, California, and will start her job in Phoenix in October.

Williams' hiring was announced Wednesday by Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher.

Williams previously worked for the Phoenix Police Department from 1989 to 2011 where she rose to the rank of assistant chief before taking the Oxnard job.

She was one of three finalists for the position as police chief in Arizona's most populous city.

Williams will replace Joseph Yahner, who is retiring in October. He was appointed Phoenix's police chief in February 2015.

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