Scottsdale Chief of Police Alan Rodbell announces retirement

Rodbell has served as Scottsdale police chief since 2003

It is an opportunity that comes at a time when I feel confident that the Scottsdale community is in great hands. I leave feeling good about the city and our police department.”

Police Chief Alan Rodbell

Scottsdale Police Department Chief of Police Alan Rodbell announced Oct. 2 that he will be retiring on Dec. 1, to pursue an opportunity in the private sector, department officials say.

Chief Rodbell’s law enforcement career began in Maryland in 1976 as a police officer with the Montgomery County Police Department, where he served for 25 years, retiring as assistant chief of police, a press release stated.

Chief Rodbell joined the Scottsdale Police Department as assistant chief that same year and was soon promoted to chief of police, serving the City of Scottsdale as chief since 2003. Chief Rodbell is the sixth chief of police for the Scottsdale Police Department, with the second-longest tenure as chief — with Walter Nemetz serving as chief of police for 19 years, from 1963 to 1982.

Chief Rodbell will conclude his 45-year career in law enforcement, with nearly 19 years of service with the Scottsdale Police Department.

While he is retiring from law enforcement, he is transitioning to the private sector, the press release stated.

In a statement to employees Chief Rodbell shared, “It is an opportunity that comes at a time when I feel confident that the Scottsdale community is in great hands. I leave feeling good about the city and our police department. This opportunity allows me to move away from law enforcement and still work and stay busy. I am so thankful that you have allowed me to be a part of this family. Every success we have experienced throughout the years has been because of you. I brag that this is the finest culture in law enforcement today.”

Scottsdale City Manager, Jim Thompson, expressed his appreciation and gratitude for Chief Rodbell and his years of dedicated service to the community.

“As an internationally recognized leader in community partnerships and law enforcement, Chief Rodbell is leaving a true legacy of excellence in policing. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors, and he will be greatly missed. The Scottsdale Police Department is a well-respected organization because of the exceptional men and women that serve our community. We have the highest confidence that they will continue to provide the exceptional delivery of police services that our community deserves,” Mr. Thompson said in a prepared statement.