Pickens chosen to lead to major policy organizations

May 20, 2008

The Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police (AACOP) highest ranking leader, Chief of Police John Pickens, is in charge of Arizona State University’s police department.<separator></separator>From last fall to this spring, Pickens has risen in the ranks of two major organizations: president of the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police (AACOP) and general chair of the University and College Section of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).<separator></separator>In January, Pickens ascended to the position of president of AACOP. In this role he is the principal executive officer and provides general direction, supervision and control of the business affairs for the association. He has been a member of AACOP since 2000 and has advanced quickly since becoming fifth vice president in 2006.<separator></separator>“One of the things I like about AACOP is the ability to enhance cooperation and coordination among law enforcement agencies on the local, state and federal levels,” Pickens said.<separator></separator>According to AACOP’s Web site its purpose is to promote and enhance the cooperation and coordination between public and private entities in the interest of law enforcement with a mission that focuses on dealing with personal issues, to promote efficiencies in government, police professionalism, and the maintenance of individual liberty.<separator></separator>In October 2007, Pickens was named general chair of the University and College Section for IACP in which he is a lifetime member with more than 20 years of continuous service. Through October 2009 Pickens will preside over the section’s meetings and represent the section in all official matters along with other duties.<separator></separator>In addition to being general chair, he also has been appointed to the National Law Enforcement Institute on Violence Against Women, a project of IACP, which is a national effort to coordinate and create new approaches to address and prevent domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking. He assists in promoting the institute and indentifying strategies to improve partnerships within the university community to deal with sexual assaults.<separator></separator>“This is terribly important work and it is especially appropriate to have representation from a university perspective on the Leadership Institute,” said Paul Ward, vice president for University Administration and General Counsel. “We are fortunate that Chief Pickens will bring innovative approaches for investigating sex crimes to the ASU Police Department.”<separator></separator>IACP’s Web site explains that their University and College Police Section fills the unique needs of a university that requires a unique level of service, one that combines the culture of education with the tenets of crime prevention and public order. The section helps in giving its own perspective to the larger law enforcement community.<separator></separator>Pickens said, “Both organizations are great sources for networking to share ideas, philosophies, discuss issues, and seek solutions.”