At the Dec. 15 Queen Creek Town Council meeting Sheriff Paul Penzone and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) were recognized for their service to the community as the town transfers to its own police department, set to launch at midnight on Jan. 11, 2022.
"I'm honored and privileged to stand before you to present this recognition (to MCSO) and proud to have served in that brown uniform myself for 25 years, just like my father did," said Queen Creek Police Chief Randy Brice. "I'm glad to pick up the torch and start where (MCSO) left off to serve the Town of Queen Creek."
Following a comprehensive police services study and 60-day outreach campaign, the Town Council approved establishing a municipal police department of its own at its March 18, 2020 meeting. Chief Brice joined the Queen Creek Police Department on July 20, 2020 and began going to work immediately at forming the new town police department. He was officially sworn in as chief on Dec. 2, 2020 and the rest of the officers were officially sworn in on Dec. 1, 2021 and have been out in the community, helping with special events like the Kiwanis toy drive on Dec. 11.
"Thank you, Queen Creek has been exceptional to our officers," Penzone said.
