It was standing room only — and then some — as family, friends and colleagues turned out to honor a first-ever for the city of Sedona.
Stephanie Foley was officially sworn in on Monday, July 12, as the city’s first deputy chief after having served as a K-9 officer for several years with her partner, Dalan, and was later promoted to sergeant in 2015 and lieutenant in 2018. Recently, she was chosen unanimously by a trio of professional, community and city panels for her current position, which began on June 21.
Chief Charles Husted jokingly noted that the turnout for Foley far exceeded his swearing in two-and-a-half years ago but added that it was a testament to what she has meant to Sedona during her 16- year career.
“I can see her dedication and commitment to our organization and her dedication to growing herself as a leader,” he said to the crowd. “This level of achievement that she’s accomplished does not come easily. It requires devotion, plenty of hard work, continual learning, incredible resilience and a focus on constant improvement.”
In terms of why the department now has a deputy chief, Husted said it’s a matter of focusing on what the next five to 10 years look like. Part of that includes focusing on what it is the community and visitors need and expect from the department and keeping up with those expectations. This has included hiring new officers while filling vacancies in others — a mix of rookies and those who are higher ranked.
“With the deputy chief position, it creates a pipeline from an entry-level position to chief of police,” Husted said. “A lot of small agencies, because we don’t have that many folks, are often hiring from the outside. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it keeps changing the consistency and direction of the organization.”
Foley thanked those who turned out for the ceremony, especially her family and wife, Jet, who she said without her support she would not have been able to pursue this new position.
“Thank you to all of you that are here for having a part in where I am right now and also my future of where I’m going and what I hope to do for this city and our department,” Foley said.
As deputy chief, Foley’s main responsibilities will include overseeing professional standards, staff development, department planning and special projects.
Foley got her start with SPD in January 2005 as a dispatcher and became a sworn officer later that year.
“It was always something I had an interest with, but my first plan was to be a family counselor,” she said prior to the ceremony. “However, I was not ready to start my master’s degree and after doing a ride-along with a Sedona police officer [Sgt. Michael Dominguez], I decided this was for me.
“I’ve always enjoyed not knowing what will happen next and being prepared for anything. We have an amazing community that support us. It makes serving the city of Sedona enjoyable and rewarding.”
In terms of why she decided to throw her proverbial hat in the ring for deputy chief, Foley said Husted has a good plan in place to grow the department in a positive direction while mentoring and training its teams.
“I want to be a part of helping make SPD better while supporting other city departments,” she said. “This is an opportunity to help impact change and growth through leadership, mentorship and training.”
When Husted told her that she had been chosen, Foley said she had mixed emotions.
“Excited because of the opportunity but sadness because I recently lost my mother to breast cancer in April, and she was always my biggest fan and supporter,” she said. “I struggled thinking this will be the first event she is not with me. I will be wearing a pink ribbon on my uniform in her memory.”
