Roy Minter, who announced his retirement earlier this year as Police Chief of Peoria, Arizona, has been announced as new Savannah Police Department Chief.

City Manager Rob Hernandez says Minter is a “21st Century police executive” who “embraces diversity across all dimensions.”

Minter, age 57, who has experience in Denton TX (Dallas/Fort Worth metro), Aurora CO (Denver metro), and Houston, is set to begin August 22.

Minter has been the chief in Peoria since 2011. From 2008-2011 Minter was the Police Chief in Denton, Texas. Prior to becoming a police chief, he spent 15-years with the Aurora, Colorado Police Department and 10 years with Houston Police Department.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Organizational Management.

Hernandez thanked interim Chief Mark Revenew for his service in the post since January of this year, and hoped Revenew would consider serving the local law enforcement community.

“He is an ultimate professional and he accepted the challenge to lead on interim basis without hesitation. He has done an exceptional job. We hope he will stay on during the transition to Chief Minter’s leadership,” Hernandez said of Revenew.

Hernandez also addressed the City’s overall approach to crime and public safety.

“The Mayor and City Council’s commitment to public safety is paying off. So far, there has been an 18% drop in overall Part I crimes including a 16% drop in violent crime. Compared to last year, we’ve had six fewer homicides than this time last year and 16 fewer from just two years ago. Robberies and shootings are also down significantly from last year. When it comes to public safety, we are moving in the right direction: Forward,” Hernandez said.

This article appears in Jun 27 – Jul 3, 2018.