CCJ Directory

Chief Debora Black was appointed Police Chief of the Prescott Police Department in July of 2016; she is the first woman to serve in this position. Prior to joining the Prescott Police Department, Chief Black served as Chief of Police for the City of Glendale for four years, preceded by five and half years as Assistant Chief. Previously she worked for the Phoenix Police Department where she began her career in 1980 as a patrol officer and worked her way through the ranks ultimately being promoted to Assistant Police Chief in 2000. During her career, Chief Black was awarded the Medal of Valor, three Medals of Lifesaving and two Police Chief’s Unit Awards.

Chief Black is an Executive Fellow for the Police Foundation, dedicated to advancing policing through innovation and science. She serves as the Third Vice President for the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police, as a Member of the Yavapai County Justice and Mental Health Coalition, Advisory Board Member for the Coalition of Compassion and Justice and on the NIDA Practitioner Board for the Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network. Chief Black is a charter member of Prescott Area Women Who Care, serves on the Substance Use Disorder Advisory Committee for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and is very proud to be a Big in Blue to Little Sister Kirra through Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters; additionally, she actively supports a number of local charitable organizations. The YWCA honored her as the Public Service Leader of the Year in 2008.

Chief Black earned a Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Science from Arizona State University. She attended the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government Senior Executives in State and Local Government and has earned a Certificate in Legal Studies at Phoenix College. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Grand Canyon University.