Tucson’s top law-enforcement post is changing hands as Police Chief Chad Kasmar announces his retirement and City Manager Tim Thomure appoints Deputy Chief Monica Prieto as the next chief of the Tucson Police Department, with the transition set for February 13, 2026. The move is designed to ensure continuity, stability, and ongoing community-focused policing across the city.
Tucson city leadership confirmed the leadership change alongside statements from the City Manager, Mayor, and police association representatives. Residents are being told to expect a smooth internal transition, with Prieto stepping in after more than two decades of service inside the department.
Chief Kasmar Announces Retirement After Long Service
Chief Chad Kasmar is retiring after more than 25 years with the Tucson Police Department, including service through several operational and organizational reform periods. According to City Manager Tim Thomure, his tenure helped build a steady foundation across public safety operations and internal support programs.
Additionally, city officials credited Kasmar with advancing community-based violence prevention and intervention efforts. He also supported expanded mental-health resources for officers, which city leadership says strengthened workforce resilience. As a result, the department exits his tenure with established wellness and modernization initiatives already in place.
Meanwhile, Mayor Regina Romero said Kasmar contributed to changes in how safety services are delivered across Tucson. She pointed to professional standards development, the Safe City Initiative, and growth in the Community Service Officer program. Therefore, city leaders describe the retirement as the close of a reform-focused chapter rather than a disruption.
City Manager Selects Monica Prieto as Next Chief
City Manager Tim Thomure selected Deputy Chief Monica Prieto to become the next Tucson police chief, choosing a candidate from within the department ranks. According to the city announcement, the internal promotion is intended to preserve operational continuity and leadership familiarity.
Prieto is a Tucson native and a 26-year veteran of the department. She most recently served as Deputy Chief and second-in-command, overseeing departmentwide operations and administrative functions across five bureaus. Consequently, the city describes her as prepared to assume full leadership without a prolonged adjustment period.
Furthermore, Thomure said Prieto brings a strong results focus and deep institutional knowledge. He stated that naming her chief supports both department stability and ongoing Safe City Initiative goals. The appointment also reflects a succession plan developed under current leadership.
Leadership Transition Snapshot
| Retiring Chief | Chad Kasmar |
| Incoming Chief | Monica Prieto |
| Appointing Authority | City Manager Tim Thomure |
| Effective Date | February 13, 2026 |
| Department | Tucson Police Department |
Prieto’s Background and Department Experience
Prieto joined the Tucson Police Department in 1999 and has served in a wide range of assignments. Over time, she worked across patrol, investigations, professional standards, and executive leadership roles. Because of this, city officials say she brings broad operational perspective to the chief’s office.
She has held assignments in Patrol Services, the Community Response Team, the Street Narcotics Unit, Internal Affairs, and the Central Investigations Division. Later, she commanded investigative and executive bureaus and managed major criminal investigations and critical incidents. Therefore, her experience spans both field and administrative command.
In addition, Prieto oversaw the Executive Office Bureau as Deputy Chief, including Professional Standards, the Public Information Office, and the Wellness Division. City leadership says that structure links accountability, transparency, and officer support functions under unified oversight.
Education, Training, and Recognition
Prieto is a graduate of the Sunnyside School District and Desert View High School, and she earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management. Her academic background supports her administrative and organizational leadership responsibilities.
Moreover, she completed executive education through the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police and Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command. These programs are widely used for senior law-enforcement leadership development. As a result, her training profile combines local experience with national executive instruction.
Her work has also received formal recognition. Awards cited by the city include the Arizona Women’s Initiative Network Women to Watch Legacy Award and the Medal of Distinguished Service. Consequently, officials frame her appointment as both operationally grounded and professionally validated.
Community and Officer Support Emphasized in Statements
City and police representatives highlighted both community trust and officer support in their public comments about the transition. Mayor Regina Romero described Prieto as a leader committed to transparency and community-centered policing. She also noted Prieto’s long record of service within Tucson itself.
Meanwhile, Tucson Police Officers Association President Sgt. Darrell Hussman said the organization supports the internal promotion decision. He added that the association has confidence in Prieto’s leadership and is ready to support the transition. Therefore, both city hall and officer representation groups signaled alignment around the appointment.
Prieto herself said she is honored to serve and plans to focus on strengthening public trust while supporting department personnel. She connected her leadership approach to both community safety and officer wellbeing. In turn, that message mirrors themes already emphasized by city leadership.
What the Change Means for Tucson Residents
For Tucson residents, the leadership change represents continuity rather than a directional shift in department priorities. Because the new chief comes from within current command staff, existing programs and operational strategies are expected to continue.
Additionally, the city has tied the transition to stability around the Safe City Initiative and community safety delivery. Officials say promoting from within reduces disruption and preserves institutional knowledge. As a result, the transition is being presented as orderly and planned.
Residents can expect the new chief to assume duties on February 13, 2026. City leadership has indicated that further public engagement and communication will continue under the new command structure. Overall, the department’s day-to-day service model remains unchanged during the handover.
Final thoughts
Tucson’s police leadership transition closes a long period of service by Chief Chad Kasmar and opens a new phase under Chief Monica Prieto. Because the appointment comes from inside the department, city officials emphasize continuity, experience, and steady operations.
For residents, the change centers on maintaining public safety services while building further trust between the department and the community.
Sources: City of Tucson, KGUN9, Boulder Crest Foundation, and LinkedIn.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analyzed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
