Joe Brugman was appointed as the Police Chief for the City of Safford (his hometown) in July of 2014. Previously, Chief Brugman served the City of Chandler for 25 years leaving as a Commander. Throughout his career with the Chandler Police Department he gained extensive experience in patrol, criminal investigations, undercover operations, traffic, training, internal investigations, communications, tactical operations, and community relations.
Chief Brugman has a Bachelor’s Degree in Justice Studies from Arizona State University (1984) and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University (1999). He is a graduate of the Certified Public Manager Program at Arizona State University (2016), the FBI National Academy (Class 224), the Southern Police Institute, the Arizona Leadership Program, and the Rural Executive Management Institute.
He serves as Vice Chairman for the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, Chairman of the Arizona Drug, Gang & Violent Crime Subcommittee, and is a member of the Arizona Information Technology and Systems Improvement Committee. Chief Brugman is also a Governor-appointed member of the Arizona Homeland Security Regional Advisory Board.
Active in his community, Chief Brugman volunteers extensively, fundsraises, and works with local youth through leadership programs and coaching.
Chief Brugman and his wife Carol have been married for over 30 years and they have three children.
