Pictured: New Globe Chief of Police Dale Walters addresses the City Council at its Sept. 11 regular meeting, his second day on the job. Photo by Carol Broeder

Dale Walters took the helm Monday, Sept. 10 as the new Chief of Police for the City of Globe.

His swearing-in ceremony was held at the Sept. 11 Globe City Council regular meeting, after being appointed police chief last month.

Walters called the date “a solemn occasion for first responders. There was a lot of tragedy, but also a lot of heroism that day.”

“It is an honor to be sworn in on this date,” said Walters, adding, “Thanks to the citizens of Globe for having the confidence to name me the chief of police going forward.”

Prior to taking the post in Globe, Walters was most recently assistant chief of police with the Chandler Police Department.

Walters, who has been in law enforcement for 28 years, was previously employed with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Department.

Originally from Flagstaff, Walters is a third generation Arizonan who describes himself as a “history buff.”

Walters sees Globe as the “epicenter” for the first 150 years of Arizona history, he said during the June 28 meet and greet hosted by the City of Globe.

Asked about recent turmoil within the department, Walters replied that while he could not speak to it specifically, “there is opportunity here to get reconnected with the community.”

“I have already started — and plan to continue — to reach out to both our citizens and our law enforcement partners,” he told the Silver Belt, listing the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Gila County Sheriff’s Office and Attorney’s Office, as well as tribal law enforcement and other local police departments.

During an interview his first day on the job, Walters said he looked forward to implementing things learned during previous employment, such as a police explorers program.

“I would like to see that here,” he said.

With his philosophy of community policing, Walters hopes that his officers will identify needs within the community, such as families in need of Christmas boxes and backpack drives.

“I teach a lot within the community,” said Walters, who planned to meet with the local school superintendent.

Walters sees in Globe “a group of solid men and women” in the police department, as well as a “supportive council and city manager” to work with.

“I have a vision already in my mind,” he said.

“I’m pretty open about people seeing me or calling me,” Walters said.

He plans to meet with local civic groups, having been very involved in Chandler, citing Boys and Girls Clubs, My Sister’s Place, East Valley Jewish Community Center, East Valley Institute of Technology — EVIT program — as well as the “Chandler I Am Project,” for those with opioid addiction.

“I want to engulf myself within the community,” he said. “I want to be known as a solid community member who also has an outstanding police department.”

Globe City Manager Paul Jepson said, “If you see the chief on the street, say hello. He is a very approachable person who wants to hear from people. Follow his actions and say hello when you see him.”

The City instituted its nationwide search for a new chief in March, with the first review of existing applicants taking place May 26. Walters was officially appointed at the Aug. 7 council meeting.

Jepson said a high-level search of this kind can be a “complicated process,” which usually takes four to six months.

The six-month process to find Walters was “very typical for a search like that,” he told the Silver Belt.

“It’s something you don’t want to rush,” Jepson said. “It’s too important.”

He and Walters have already “sat down and talked about my expectations.”

Jepson is pleased that Walters is already talking to the sheriff’s and county attorney’s office and “building relationships,” he said. “No city is an island.”

“Dale comes out of a culture in Chandler that was built on relationships and partnering,” Jepson said.

“I believe that Dale will keep communications up and increase the professionalism in the Globe Police Department,” he told the Silver Belt. “There are still a couple of spots that haven’t been filled yet. Recruitment and retention is really important.”

Jepson agrees with Walters about starting the police explorers program in Globe.

“We want to grow our own and recruit our own,” Jepson said. “There is a lot of competition for cops all through the State. We want Globe to be a great place to work with great leadership and great relationships.”

“Cops want to serve the public,” he told the Silver Belt. “Cops want to do good.”