Kara Riley

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT KARA RILEY

Chief Riley is an ethical, passionate, and a community-oriented law enforcement leader with more than three decades of experience, which include both divisions and the office of the chief for the Oro Valley Police Department. As a true leader, she communicates expectations and ensures accountability. Her professional record illustrates the leadership qualities that are essential for the success of the Oro Valley Police Department. In her career, Chief Riley, had the privilege to manage both the field services and the support services divisions at Oro Valley Police Department. She has been involved in all aspects of the $17.4 million annual budget, including capital improvement projects, grants, and overtime management. The scope of her responsibilities included uniform patrol operations, criminal investigations, communications, property and evidence, community resources, task force units, SWAT, Community Action Team, canine, traffic and records management. In these roles, she was instrumental in forming several partnerships and strengthening the department’s position with surrounding law enforcement agencies. Chief Riley is a collaborator with extensive experience in leading people and managing different areas of the department. She is described as an open and inclusive communicator. As the executive officer, she oversaw the office of professional standards, media relations, professional development and training. Chief Riley was instrumental in establishing a regional public information officer’s working group to enhance collaboration and communication with all local media, including print and television. She continues to cultivate the department’s great relationship with the community and is proud to serve on the Board of Directors for Pima County Wireless Integrated Network, the Arizona Association Chiefs of Police, the Oro Valley Community Leadership Board, the Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Women Leading Government Marketing Committee, the Northwest Women’s Group, and the Southern Arizona Women Leading Government. She is an active member of the FBI National Academy Associates Arizona Chapter, a member of the International Association Chiefs of Police and the National Public Information Officers Association.Chief Riley holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona in Sociology and a master’s degree in Education. She is a proud to graduate of from the Northwestern University Police Staff and Command School and class 261 from the FBI National Academy.