Pima County Sheriff Mark Napier announced the selection of three bureau chiefs Monday in a reorganization of the department in which one bureau position was eliminated.
The competitive selection process had bureau chiefs reapply for their jobs and compete against department captains. The sheriffβs reorganization is not complete, and the tentative structure of the bureaus is still underway, said Deputy Cody Gress, a department spokesman.
Those selected as as the departments three bureau chiefs, assuming their positions Feb. 19, are:
- Byron Gwaltney, who was originally promoted to bureau chief in 2014, and had led the operations bureau. He is a 29-year veteran of the department. His assignments include patrol, criminal investigations, DUI enforcement, training and the Special Weapons and Tactics team. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, was promoted to command rank in 2006 and has served as head of the corrections bureau.
- Deanna Johnson is a 21-year veteran of the department, and has worked patrol, investigations and administration. Most recently she was assigned as a captain in the special investigations division. The division includes narcotics and special investigations section and the technical support section. Johnson is a graduate of the FBIβs executive leadership institute and was an instructor for five years in the Leadership in Police Organization program through the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
- Karl Woolridge has worked more than 27 years for the department, climbing from corrections officer to administrative bureau chief. He has served in operations and administrative assignments. He has led the Southern Arizona DUI Task Force, and worked with public safety agencies, schools, and organizations on projects to improve the quality of life in the Tucson area.
