Tucson has a new police chief.
Monica Prieto, a Tucson native with a long career in the department, was most recently deputy chief, the second in command. She will become the city's top cop Feb. 13.
Prieto replaces Chad Kasmar, who retired and will take an executive position in Pima County.
“As a native Tucsonan who rose through the ranks of the Tucson Police Department, Monica Prieto represents the very best of public service,” said Mayor Regina Romero. “Her experience, steady leadership, and commitment to transparency and community-centered policing make her the right leader for this moment. I am grateful for her dedication to our City and am excited to work alongside her as we continue building a safer city for everyone.”
Prieto was appointed to her new role by Timothy Thomure, the city manager.
“As we move forward, DC Prieto is exceptionally well prepared to step into this role, with a deep understanding of our organization and a clear focus on results. Naming DC Prieto as our next chief ensures a smooth transition that reflects our commitment to stability for the department and the success of our Safe City initiative,” Thomure said in a city news release.
Prieto has decades of experience across patrol, investigations, professional standards, and executive leadership. As deputy Chief, she oversaw all of TPD's operations and administrative functions.
Monica Prieto, a Tucson native who rose up the ranks of the Tucson Police Department, has been named its new chief.
Prieto graduated from Desert View High School and earned a bachelor's degree in public administration from the University of Arizona.
She joined TPD in 1999 and has served in assignments that include patrol, the Community Response Team, narcotics, internal affairs and investigations.
As deputy chief, Prieto oversaw the Executive Office Bureau, which includes the Office of Professional Standards, the Public Information Office and the Wellness Division. She has also commanded the Investigative Services Bureau and managed major criminal investigations and critical incidents, the news release said.
Prieto completed executive education with the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police and is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety, School of Police Staff and Command.
“I am honored to serve as Tucson’s next Police Chief,” Prieto said in a prepared statement.
“This department and this community have shaped who I am, both professionally and personally. My focus will be on strengthening public trust and supporting the dedicated men and women of this department working to keep Tucson safe,” she said.
Prieto is the second woman to lead the department and the first Latina.
Chad Kasmar
Kasmar served 25 years with the department and became chief in 2021.
Beginning March 1, Kasmar will work for Pima County as a deputy administrator.
“He’s an outstanding leader and exceptional manager,” County Manager Jan Lesher said ina news release. “He has deep roots in Tucson, born and raised. He knows this community, what the issues are, what its strengths are, and how to use those strengths to build a stronger, healthier, safer, more prosperous Pima County.”
She said Kasmar will oversee many of the county departments that have justice and law connections, including Public Defense Services, Justice Services, Detainee and Crisis Systems and Pima Animal Care Center.
“I love Tucson, Southern Arizona and being chief of one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the country. After 25 years of public safety service in Tucson, I have reached a point in my career where it’s time to retire from public safety," Kasmar said in a county news release.
"I look forward to building on some of the collaborative relationships we’ve created regionally to address some of our community’s most complex issues that have proven difficult to solve sufficiently with policing alone. Ultimately, Administrator Lesher made me an offer I couldn’t refuse,” Kasmar said.
