Maricopa Police Department promotes 3 officers

Three members of the Maricopa Police Department were promoted Wednesday night during a ceremony at City Hall.

Lt. Stephen F. Judd was sworn in as commander and Officers Jenny Soto and Chance Jordan were promoted to supervisory roles as sergeants.

Chief James Hughes led the ceremony attended by many fellow officers, family and supporters of the department. Judge Lyle Riggs conducted the swearing-in.

Judd, a 25-year-police veteran, was a founding member of the Maricopa department in 2007. In his introduction, Hughes said Judd has held almost every job in the department over the years.

“I feel sorry for you taking my old job as support commander,” Hughes told Judd, “which is kind of like drinking from a fire hose 10 hours a day. There was no more qualified person. He’s the kind of guy I have to say, ‘Steve, today’s over. Go home.’ He is that driven and he has my complete confidence.”

Soto has been with the department since 2007 and performed several different roles in the department.

“When I talk about Jenny, she’s one heck of a police officer,” Hughes said. “She is compassionate. She’s professional. She’s driven. She does the right thing all the time and that’s what you look for in supervisors. Do they do the right thing at 2 o’clock in the morning when no one’s watching? And Jenny has.”

Jordan worked in the department for three years before leaving for the Gila River Police Department, where he would eventually serve as commander. A restructuring of that department would lead him back to the Maricopa force.

“Chance has a ton of skills, a ton of experience,” Hughes said of Jordan. “A great guy, he is self-driven and I think everyone in this room would equate passion with Chance Jordan.”

“The talent that sits in front of me with these three individuals, I couldn’t be happier,” the chief added.

As part of the promotion process, Judd, Soto and Chance spent hours preparing for a written exam that was followed up with peer interviews. A leadership team evaluated all the candidates and decided on the promotions.

In his remarks, Hughes referred to the department as a family that takes care of each other.

“Congratulations to the three promotees,” he said. “It’s an excellent start as supervisors. As we know, we’re not allowed to have a bad day. We always have to put our best face on every day because our troops depend upon us. So once again, I’ll depend upon you guys, you guys depend upon me, and that’s how family works together.”