Scottsdale Assistant Police Chief Joe LeDuc was appointed as the interim chief of police, the department announced on Thursday.
LeDuc will replace Chief Jeff Walther on Monday. Walther was tapped as the interim assistant city manager earlier in January and will oversee the city’s communications and human resources departments, as well as remain the head of Scottsdale’s police department for the time being.
“I am honored to serve our community in this capacity and look forward to carrying on the legacy and great leadership of Chief Jeff Walther,” LeDuc said in the press release posted on social media.
According to a press release from the Scottsdale Police Department, LeDuc has been an officer with the department for over three decades, starting as a patrol officer in 1991.
Throughout his career, LeDuc worked as a property crimes detective and homicide detective, served in the federal Drug Enforcement Administration task force and supervised the special victims unit. He rose through the ranks, becoming a sergeant, lieutenant and commander.
In 2021, LeDuc was promoted to assistant chief of police.
Scottsdale police also announced on social media that Commander Chris Watson will become the interim assistant chief of police.
Walther was appointed as assistant city manager by interim City Manager Greg Caton, who himself replaced former long-term City Manager Jim Thompson after his retirement in December 2024.
Arizona Republic reporter Sam Kmack contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Scottsdale assistant police chief chosen as interim police chief