Sahuarita hires new police chief

John Noland, currently a lieutenant and bureau commander for patrol, support and investigations division at the Santa Rosa Police Department in California, was chosen over two other finalists.

“There were multiple things that really stood out,” said L. Kelly Udall, Sahuarita town manager.

Noland’s leadership and experience with the Santa Rosa police and open communication skills were particularly impressive, Udall added.

Noland, a fluent Spanish speaker, spent 25 years with the Santa Rosa police and has a total of 30 years of experience in law enforcement. He has a master’s degree in organizational development from the California State University Sonoma.

“My wife and I are both really impressed with the town of Sahuarita and the general area, including South Tucson as well,” Noland said in an interview.

As the new police chief, he said his management style would be an “open” one with frank questions asked and answered.

Udall will officially announce Noland as the town’s police chief at the town council meeting on Monday.

The position became available when Chief John Harris retired after eight years with the town in September. Kaleb Allred was the acting police chief since Sept. 12.

Noland was chosen over two other finalists; Gregory Anderson, police chief for the city of Oak Crest, Illinois, and Paul Grohowski, commander with the Port St. Lucie, Florida, Police Department.

Noland will start Dec. 22. His annual salary will be $119,000.