Retirement and Controversy: The Exit of Wil Price from Tempe Police Department’s Analytics Bureau

Tempe officials have announced that Wil Price, the manager of the Police Analytics Bureau within the Tempe Police Department, has retired after two years on the job. Price first served with the Tempe Police Department as a sworn officer from 1982 to 2003, retiring as a sergeant. He then returned as a professional staff member in 2022, where he has been managing the Police Analytics Bureau.

The Police Analytics Bureau is responsible for units such as the Forensic Services Unit and Technical Services Unit. The Technical Services Unit has faced criticism due to issues such as misuse of public funds and equipment, which led to former police officer Anthony Chiaro filing a Notice of Claim alleging retaliation for whistleblowing on these problems.

Chiaro worked in the Technical Services Unit for nearly a decade and raised concerns about new equipment sitting unused for years. The Forensic Services Unit has also faced challenges, with crime scene technicians lacking proper equipment and standards. Despite these challenges, Chief Kenneth McCoy is focused on improving and transforming the Tempe Police Department into a top-tier agency by combating street racing, reducing serious injury collisions, and opening a Real-Time Operations Center in the near future.