The City of Winslow is currently in the midst of a significant transition in its police department, searching for a new chief following the retirement of former Police Chief Ken Arends in August. Since then, Kevin Treadway has taken on the role of Director of Police Operations.
The city has reduced the selection to three candidates. Franklin Caldwell Sr. is a seasoned law enforcement officer with over 35 years of experience in a wide range of areas including patrol operations, administrative and criminal investigations, support service operations, and traffic enforcement. He has also been deeply involved in special events planning and security, ethics, and adult education training. Caldwell’s career includes significant roles as a detention officer and a correctional service officer in Arizona, and as a detective investigating a variety of crimes. His leadership experience is extensive, having served as a field training officer, sergeant, lieutenant, and commander. Caldwell’s academic achievements are notable as well, with an Education Specialist Degree from Argosy University, a Master of Education from Northern Arizona University, and other degrees focusing on organizational management and criminal justice.
The next candidate is currently a lieutenant at Winslow Police Department, Ernest Cano was raised in Ajo, a small mining town that shaped his early life. Cano entered into law enforcement in 1995 when he joined the Department of Corrections. His journey in policing took him to Yuma Police Department and eventually to Winslow Police Department in 2007. Cano’s commitment to his community extends beyond his professional role; he is an active board member of Alice’s Place, a regional advocacy center for domestic violence victims. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Cano’s approach to policing emphasizes community engagement and professional development within the department.
Eric C. Mansfield offers over 30 years of experience in law enforcement, including more than 15 years in command-level positions. Starting his career with the United States Army Military Police Corps, Mansfield later joined the Newport News Police Department, retiring as a commander. His wide-ranging experience covers patrol division, special victims, community policing, and special operations, among others. Mansfield is also a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Policing and holds a Bachelor of Science from Saint Leo University. His commitment to community service is evident in his creation of a youth leadership camp and his role as a mentor to young people.
City Manager, David Coolidge explained that it his job to appoint the police chief and he expects to take that recommendation to the council for ratification during their meeting on Jan. 9. After formal interviews with the candidates Coolidge said, “I think we have a really strong group of candidates and it will be a difficult decision. I am confident that we are in good hands regardless of the outcome.”
The process of selecting a new police chief for Winslow involves evaluating these highly qualified candidates, each bringing unique strengths and perspectives to the role. The decision will significantly impact the future direction of law enforcement and community relations in Winslow and the choice of chief will be a challenging yet promising endeavor for the city.
