Christopher Dowell Email & Phone Number

Cottonwood, Az, Us

Cottonwood, Arizona, United States

Sedona, Arizona, United States

Cottonwood, Arizona, United States

As the Interim Chief of Police, I lead over 70 dedicated professionals in Cottonwood, Arizona's commercial hub and a key destination in the Verde Valley. Our department handles a dynamic daily visitor population of approximately 50,000, reflecting Cottonwood's prominent tourism and status as a regional center.My role encompasses managing a wide array of specialty assignments, divisions, and units. These include participation in federal and local narcotics task forces, a regional SWAT team, regional traffic collision investigations team, and a regional communications center. Additionally, I oversee innovative units like bicycle patrol, school resource officers, outreach services, trails and off-road (OHV) enforcement, and a victims' services team.Our department's commitment to community engagement and excellence is evident in our diverse functions, including animal control, a professional standards unit, a criminal investigations unit, K-9 teams, a volunteer force, police aides, and a records unit. We are actively pursuing ALEAP accreditation, demonstrating our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of law enforcement.

While serving as the Acting Chief of Police, I oversae a dedicated team of over 70 employees in the City of Cottonwood, a bustling commercial hub of the Verde Valley. The department is a pillar in a community that attracts approximately 50,000 visitors daily, reflecting our vibrant tourism industry. I manage a multitude of specialty assignments, divisions, and units, including a regional SWAT team, narcotics task forces, traffic collision investigation, and a regional communications center. Our comprehensive public safety services extend to bicycle patrols, OHV enforcement, K-9 units, victim services, and more, underscoring our multifaceted approach to law enforcement.

In my role as Support Services Commander, I oversaw critical operational components of the Cottonwood Police Department, ensuring the effective functioning of various specialized units. My responsibilities encompassed managing the Regional Communications Center, which services over 700 square miles and 9 subscriber agencies, demonstrating my capability in handling large-scale, multi-agency coordination.I was also in charge of the Criminal Investigations Unit, overseeing a team of skilled detectives. My oversight extended to Records, Evidence, Professional Standards, School Resource Officers, Victim Advocacy, Training, SWAT, and Fleet Management, reflecting a diverse and comprehensive leadership role in law enforcement operations.

As the Patrol Commander, my tenure was marked by comprehensive oversight of the front-line units that are pivotal to public safety and community trust. I directed the Patrol Division, ensuring responsive and community-focused policing. My purview included the Traffic Enforcement Unit, Outreach Services, and the K-9 Unit, enhancing our capability to maintain order and provide specialized services. I was also responsible for the strategic leadership of SWAT, negotiations, Training, Fleet Management, and Threat Liaison Units, underscoring my commitment to proactive safety and crisis management.

In my capacity as Patrol Sergeant, I was entrusted with the supervision of several key programs within the department. My leadership was instrumental in managing the Police Department's K-9 program, ensuring top-notch canine handling and operations. I also oversaw the Quartermaster program, maintaining accountability and readiness of equipment. My responsibilities included directing the Terrorism/Threat Liaison Officer Program, enhancing our threat response capabilities. Additionally, I managed the Patrol Fleet program and was deeply involved in the training continuum of officers, from pre-academy to post-academy, underscoring my commitment to excellence in law enforcement training and operations.

As a Senior Patrol Officer and Field Training Officer for the City of Cottonwood Police Department, I played a multifaceted role. My duties included standard patrol operations, field training for new recruits, and specialized responsibilities as a Terrorism/Threat Liaison Officer and K9 Officer. This diverse experience equipped me with a robust skill set in law enforcement tactics, canine handling, and anti-terrorism strategies, all while mentoring the next generation of officers in these critical areas of policing.

As a Patrol Officer with the City of Cottonwood Police Department, I served on the front lines of community safety and law enforcement. My responsibilities included responding to emergency calls, conducting routine patrols, and engaging in community policing efforts. I upheld the law with integrity and dedication, ensuring the protection of citizens and the preservation of public peace.

As the former SWAT Operations Tactical Commander for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, my leadership extended across the Tactical Operations, K9, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Units. I spearheaded operations for the fourth-largest sheriff's office in the U.S., navigating over 200 missions annually. My role was pivotal in managing robust inter-agency relations, federal partnerships, and grants. With over 45 personnel and a diverse fleet, our division’s expertise ranged from high-risk arrests to specialized tactics, demonstrating our unwavering dedication to the safety and security of the 4.4 million residents of Maricopa County.

As the Street Narcotics Unit and Administrative Lieutenant of the Special Investigations Division for the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, I oversaw complex street-level narcotics and gang investigations. Our unit, recognized for its specialized training and dedication, was pivotal in the fight against the drug trafficking epidemic stemming from Arizona's position as a major conduit for illegal narcotics. We employed advanced surveillance, undercover operations, and collaborative efforts with other law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and quality of life in Maricopa County, consistently striving to maintain our neighborhoods as safe havens free from the fear of crime.

District 3 Patrol Division/ Northwest Maricopa County

As a Lieutenant at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, I fulfilled the roles of Deputy District Commander and Acting District Commander for the District 3 Patrol Division. My responsibilities extended to Acting Chief of Police for Youngtown, Arizona. With an expanse of over 1,600 square miles, I managed law enforcement services for a diverse jurisdiction, including urban centers and rural farms, and two large senior communities, totaling approximately 60,000 residents. Leading a team of 70+ deputies, detectives, and staff, I ensured effective patrol operations and the investigation of personal and property crimes.

As a Lieutenant in the Bureau of Internal Oversight at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, I spearheaded a team dedicated to enhancing the integrity, economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of office programs. Our mission focused on conducting thorough audits and reviews, primarily on law enforcement operations, with plans to expand to all use of force incidents and detention operations. My leadership guided a diverse team of sworn, detention, and civilian staff, ensuring the delivery of professional and timely services to uphold the highest standards of the Sheriff's Office.

As a Sergeant in the Court Compliance and Implementation Division, I was pivotal in ensuring the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office adhered to the mandates of the Melendres Federal Court Order. My role was crucial in facilitating communication between the Court-appointed Monitor and MCSO, fostering compliance with court-ordered reforms. I led initiatives to eliminate racial profiling practices, promote constitutional policing, and support the transparent and fair treatment of the Latino community in accordance with 4th and 14th Amendment rights. My efforts were key in guiding MCSO towards restored integrity and lawful enforcement practices.

As the Lake Patrol Detective Sergeant with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, I managed a dynamic team overseeing the wilderness and waterways of Tonto National Forest including Saguaro, Canyon, Apache, Bartlett and Horsehoe lakes, the Lower Salt and Verde Rivers, Lake Pleasant, and Maricopa County Regional Park system (which is the largest in the country). This role encompassed supervising detectives, coordinating DUI operations across Maricopa County, and administering significant state and federal grants. I was also responsible for the Mounted Unit and remote operations for the Dive Team. Our duties included Search and Rescue, Dive Recovery, Traffic Enforcement, and emergency responses, ensuring comprehensive law enforcement coverage over a diverse and challenging terrain. As a Lake Patrol Sergeant, I also had the responsibility for emergency management and response to the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. This entails readiness to handle potential nuclear incidents, effective coordination with multiple agencies, and ensuring public safety through training, clear communication systems, and regular drills using ICS/ and NIMS.

As the Lake Patrol River Sergeant with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, my leadership extended over the Tonto National Forest, including the Four Peaks and Mazatzal mountain regions, Saguaro Lake, and the Lower Salt River. My responsibilities included overseeing a specialized team of patrol deputies, a K-9 officer, coordinating DUI operations across Maricopa County, administering significant state and federal grants and managing a fleet of watercraft and off-highway vehicles. I coordinated extensive DUI operations and managed significant grant funding, all while ensuring prompt response to emergencies, effective search and rescue operations, and maintaining community safety and trust.As a Lake Patrol Sergeant, I also had the responsibility for emergency management and response to the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. This entails readiness to handle potential nuclear incidents, effective coordination with multiple agencies, and ensuring public safety through training, clear communication systems, and regular drills using ICS/ and NIMS.

As the Lake Bartlett Lake Sergeant with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, my leadership extended over the Tonto National Forest, including the Seven Springs region, Bartlett Lake, Horseshoe Lake, and Lower Verde River. My responsibilities included overseeing a specialized team of patrol deputies and managing a fleet of watercraft and off-highway vehicles, all while ensuring prompt response to emergencies, effective search and rescue operations, and maintaining community safety and trust.

As the Sergeant of the Tactical Operations Unit within the SWAT Division of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, I commanded a team of 12 deputies, managing a fleet of tactical support vehicles. We were on call 24/7, responding to over 200 high-risk missions annually throughout Maricopa County. My role involved overseeing operations including high-risk arrests, barricades, and search warrant services. The unit specialized in less-lethal tactics, SCBA, sniper/observer skills, explosive breaching, rappelling, and night vision operations, contributing to MCSO's status as the primary law enforcement agency in the nation's fourth-largest county.

As a Sergeant with the Special Investigations Division, I directed the East Side Street Team, focusing on narcotics investigations and bus interdiction. We targeted the illicit transit of drugs, weapons, currency, and fugitives, vital in disrupting the flow of illegal narcotics through Arizona along with street narcotics investigations. Our unit's expert surveillance, confidential informant management, and undercover work, alongside strong inter-agency cooperation, were crucial in the broader effort to protect and serve the communities of Maricopa County.

As a Sergeant in the District 2 Patrol Division at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, I oversaw a patrol squad in a vast 5,200-square-mile area, encompassing high-profile locations like Luke Air Force Base and the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. Our team was integral in ensuring swift emergency response, maintaining community safety, and upholding trust across various jurisdictions. My role also entailed crucial administrative responsibilities, streamlining operations and managing staff for optimal district efficiency.

As a Detective and K-9 Handler with the Parcel Interdiction Unit of the Special Investigations Division, I specialized in intercepting illegal narcotics, weapons, and currency through parcel services and conducting investigations related to these interdictions. Collaborating with agencies nationwide, my canine partner and I conducted hundreds of narcotic detection operations annually, resulting in significant seizures and critical disruptions to drug trafficking networks. Our unit's expertise in surveillance and undercover operations was instrumental in mitigating the flow of illicit substances through Arizona. While assigned to this division I also worked as an undercover Detective, case agent, and surveillance officer during street-level narcotic and prostitution investigations and was responsible for the division's GPS tracker deployments and equipment.

As a Deputy Sheriff in the Lake Patrol Division, I held multifaceted responsibilities that included relief patrol across the county and specific duties within the Tonto National Forest, such as the Superstition Mountains and surrounding lakes. My role involved Search and Rescue, watercraft enforcement, DUI operations, and ensuring the proper function of intoxilyzer instruments. Certified in both quad and boat operations, I provided specialized support throughout Arizona, including SCUBA recovery operations, contributing to the safety and enforcement of local and state regulations on and off the water.

As a Deputy Sheriff in the District 1 Patrol Division, I served a region spanning 1,053 square miles across southeast Maricopa County, addressing calls in high-density areas including Guadalupe, Apache Junction, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Tempe. In this fast-paced district, renowned for its high call volume, I honed my skills in responding to a wide range of routine and emergency situations, laying the foundation for a robust law enforcement career.

Avondale, Az

As the Commander of Law Enforcement and Security Personnel for NASCAR and IndyCar events at Phoenix International Raceway, I led the extensive coordination and management of hundreds of officers and security staff. This role required meticulous planning and execution to ensure the safety and security of hundreds of thousands of attendees. My duties involved working closely with NASCAR officials, federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as private vendors and sports media, to deliver a secure and well-managed event environment.

As a Sergeant/Lieutenant responsible for law enforcement during major NASCAR and IndyCar events at Phoenix International Raceway, I provided leadership and patrol supervision, ensuring the safety and orderliness of events with massive attendance. My role was crucial in coordinating a seamless operational response during high-profile racing events.

As a Patrol Deputy during NASCAR and IndyCar events at Phoenix International Raceway, I delivered comprehensive law enforcement patrol services, ensuring public safety for events with vast attendance. My role was critical in managing crowd and traffic control and coordinating with event officials for secure and orderly event proceedings.

Western United States 1/104Th Military Police Battalion

As a United States Army Reserve Military Police Instructor and Detachment Sergeant, I leveraged extensive knowledge and leadership skills to train hundreds of soldiers in military police reclassification and leadership courses. My commitment to excellence contributed to the development of disciplined and proficient Military Police personnel, ready to uphold law and order in service to our nation.

Fort Mcclellan, Alabama, Bosnia, Cuba, Panama, Germany

As a United States Army Military Police Officer, I served on active duty and attained the rank of Sergeant, leading a team through deployments across Germany, Cuba, Panama, and Bosnia. My leadership was marked by strategic execution of missions without any casualties or loss of equipment, reflecting my dedication to mission success and team safety.

Bachelor'S Degree, Criminal Justice/Police Science, 3.85

Leadership

Verde Valley Leadership Academy

School Of Police Staff And Command, Law Enforcement Command And Staff

Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration

Basic Training/ Military Police Advanced Training

Drug Unit Commanders Course

Basic Non-Commisioned Officers Course, Military And Strategic Leadership

Primary Leadership Development Course, Military And Strategic Leadership