Police Chief Ruben Ortega influenced the Phoenix Police Department in ways that many former/current department members never realized.

Chief Ortega’s top priorities were ensuring that Phoenix residents were safe; that department members would provide extraordinary service in the performance of their duties; that department members would treat everyone with dignity and respect; and, that building a strong relationship with the community was paramount to achieving the department’s mission of community safety.

Chief Ortega always followed his North Star. He was a man of strong principles, had goals for himself and the department that centered around professionalism, integrity, and honor; he never faltered in their pursuit.

Chief Ortega never allowed politics to interfere with the mission/goals/operations of the police department.  If an investigation or policy decision served the best interests of the community and department, he never backed away from it. While it may sound easy to do the right thing, it can be very challenging and stressful. RBO never backed away from tough decisions, and we were a stronger and more effective police department because of it.

When talking about leaders or other influential people in our lives who have passed on, words and phrases are often used to describe them in ways that might not always be deserved. That is not the case for me in describing Police Chief Ruben Ortega.  He was a strong leader; he was an honest man; he was a man of the highest integrity with a strong ethical bearing; and he was an innovator in terms of anti-crime and youth related programs. 

 The “Do Drugs, Do Time.” campaign gained national prominence during Chief Ortega’s tenure, and the revision of domestic violence laws and policies represented necessary change.  He also oversaw the establishment of school resource officers (SRO’s), Police Activity League (PAL) centers, the DARE Program, the GREAT Program, CALEA, and the Community Response Unit that maintained close relationships with community organizations throughout Phoenix to resolve concerns of mutual interest. These are but a few of the many programs and practices that yielded effective results and strengthened community support. As a result, the Phoenix Police Department was recognized as a top innovator in police practices nationwide during his tenure.
 

As a result of Chief Ortega’s mentoring, commitment to developing future leaders, and providing a variety of assignment opportunities to command level staff during his time as chief, several department members later went to other communities and served as police chiefs or in other high-ranking positions.  His influence still continues today!

Police Chief Ruben B. Ortega leaves a legacy of community service, honor, and sacrifice that will not soon be forgotten!

May he rest in peace.