Chief Memo Espinoza

City of Avondale – Chief of Police

Chief Memo Espinoza was appointed as Avondale’s Chief of Police in September of 2021. Memo grew up in Avondale and attended Agua Fria High School. Memo is a former U.S. Marine and has been with the Avondale Police Department since July of 1997.

During Memo’s police officer career, he has worked as a detective, corporal, sergeant, and lieutenant with experience in criminal investigations, hiring, recruitment and training, and as an SRD Sergeant. Memo also served six years as a member of the Tactical Operations Unit (SWAT) as an operator and is trained as a negotiator. He has served as the Avondale PD’s Public Information Officer and was assigned as the Lieutenant for the Criminal Investigations Bureau.

Memo earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety Administration from Grand Canyon University and a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and completed the FBI National Academy in September of 2018.