Chief Brian Avila has served with the Safford Police Department for over 18 years. Prior to that, he served in his hometown with the Clifton Police Department for nearly six years.
Chief Avila was appointed as Chief of Police in 2023 and is the first Latino to serve in this position in the Department’s history. Prior to his appointment, he served in several areas of the Department including Patrol Officer, Patrol Sergeant, Police Captain, Special Response Team member, Field Training Officer, and Honor Guard.
He holds an Associate Degree in Administration of Justice from Eastern Arizona College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Bellevue University. Chief Avila is also a graduate of the Arizona Leadership Program and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association (FBI-LEEDA) Trilogy program.
Active in his community, Chief Avila has been a certified sports official with the Arizona Interscholastic Association for the past 25 years and continues to referee high school and youth sports.
Chief Avila is married to his wife Jamie, and together they have three children and one granddaughter.
