Blythe Frausto retires from ASU Police Department

Blythe Frausto is retiring from the Arizona State University Police Department after serving 10 years at the department.

Frausto, procedures analyst and accreditation manager, ensured that the Police Department’s policies and practices were in compliance with standards set by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and ASU throughout her years at the university.  

“Blythe’s experience as a former police officer and police executive made her a natural fit for the procedures analyst and accreditation manager. She contributed so much to the department including her work on Blackboard, training, media publications and social media. I appreciate her policies and accreditation assistance for other law enforcement agencies in the state and across the country,” said John Pickens, ASU Police Department Chief. “I wish her the best of luck in the next chapter of her life.”

Since 1999, she has been an assessor for the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, assessing local, state, county and university police departments across the country. 

During her years at the university, she was also a member of the development committee for the LINAU: Mastering Leadership program and helps build morale through her role as spirit captain for the department. 

“I loved working at ASU. I loved the people, the environment and the challenges. I had a very rewarding career, but I am looking forward to this next phase in life,” Frausto said.                                

Frausto came to the ASU Police Department after serving the Hobbs, New Mexico Police Department for 22 years as an officer. She was the first woman to earn the rank of both lieutenant and captain in an agency of 85 sworn officers. During her New Mexico years, she supervised and lead areas such as patrol, community education, fiscal operations, evidence, recruiting and hiring, warrants and court security, training, school resource officers, corrections and accreditation. 

For 15 years, she was a member of the New Mexico Critical Incident Stress Management Team, supporting first responders after they were involved in incidents such as shootings and fatality investigations.

In addition to holding down a full-time job at ASU, Frausto is active in the community, participating for two years as a department chairperson for the ASU United Way campaign and assisting the campaign an additional two years. She also participated with Mesa United Way in the Community Investment Process and represented the ASU Police Department in the Arizona Police Accreditation Coalition by serving as president for four years, vice-president for a year and secretary for three years. She is a sustainable environment advocate and constantly looks for ways to initiate sustainable and efficient solutions.