5 Major Developments Reshaping The City Of Surprise Police Department In 2025

Contents

The City of Surprise Police Department (SPD) is undergoing a significant transformation in late 2024 and 2025, marked by a change in command, major infrastructure investments, and a renewed focus on community-centric policing. As of today, December 19, 2025, the department is actively implementing its Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025) strategic plan, which is set to dramatically alter its operational footprint and service capabilities across the rapidly growing Arizona city.

This period of change is crucial for the department, which is committed to maintaining a safe community by providing extraordinary law enforcement service. The recent developments, from a new Police Chief to significant budget allocations for new facilities, signal a forward-looking strategy to address both current public safety challenges, such as the reported increase in certain violent crimes, and the long-term needs of the Surprise community. The following details the most critical updates defining the Surprise Police Department’s new era.

New Leadership: Chief Evan Becher’s Profile and Command

The most significant recent change within the City of Surprise Police Department is the transition in leadership. On May 2, 2025, Chief Benny Piña retired after nearly four years of service to the city and a distinguished 36-year law enforcement career.

Following a rigorous selection process, City Manager Bob Wingenroth announced the selection of a long-time department veteran to take the helm.

Biography of Police Chief Evan Becher

  • Name: Evan Becher
  • Current Position: Police Chief, City of Surprise Police Department (SPD)
  • Appointment Date: Officially selected in 2025, following the retirement of Chief Benny Piña.
  • Department Tenure: Nearly 20-year veteran of the Surprise Police Department.
  • Career Start: Began his career with the City of Surprise in 2007.
  • Prior Role: Served as a Lieutenant within the SPD before his selection as Chief.
  • Focus: Chief Becher’s leadership is expected to prioritize community relations and leverage his deep institutional knowledge of the department and the City of Surprise, Arizona.

Chief Becher’s selection as the new Police Chief ensures continuity while bringing a fresh perspective rooted in two decades of experience serving the Surprise community. His deep understanding of the city’s specific public safety needs positions him to lead the department through its current phase of expansion and organizational enhancement.

1. Strategic Expansion: New Substation and Infrastructure Funding

A core element of the City of Surprise’s FY2025 tentative budget is a substantial investment in the Police Department’s physical infrastructure. The City Council approved funds specifically earmarked for a new police substation.

This strategic move is designed to improve response times and increase police visibility in the city’s growing areas, particularly in the outer regions of Surprise, AZ. The expansion also addresses the need for modern, accessible facilities to better serve the community.

Furthermore, the city has acquired 16 acres of land for the future location of a shared Police Substation/Fire Station and an adjacent local park. This co-location strategy is a major development, promoting greater collaboration between the Surprise Police and Fire-Medical Departments and creating a central public safety hub for residents.

2. The Four Pillars of the Surprise Police Department Structure

To ensure efficiency and specialized service delivery, the Surprise Police Department is organized into four key divisions. Understanding this structure is essential for residents seeking specific services or understanding the scope of the department’s operations.

These divisions reflect the department’s commitment to its core values of Integrity and Professionalism, ensuring every aspect of law enforcement is managed by dedicated experts.

Key Organizational Divisions (Entities):

  • Field Operations Division: This is the largest division, encompassing Patrol, Traffic Enforcement, and K-9 Units. They are the first responders, providing 24/7 law enforcement service to the community.
  • Criminal Investigations Division (CID): Responsible for follow-up investigations on serious crimes, including homicide, assault, and property crimes. The CID also includes the Crime Analysis Unit, which focuses on identifying evolving crime patterns and forecasting future trends.
  • Administrative Services Division: Manages internal affairs, records, dispatch, and technology. This division provides the essential logistical and technical support for all department functions.
  • Professional Development Division: Oversees recruitment, training, and internal standards. This division is crucial for upholding the department's commitment to high ethical standards and continuous improvement.

3. Addressing Recent Crime Trends and Community Safety Metrics

Public safety data presented in 2024 highlighted a concerning trend that the new leadership is tasked with addressing. The City of Surprise experienced a notable rise in specific violent crimes. According to crime statistics presented by the Surprise Police Department, there was a reported 500% increase in homicides in 2024 compared to the previous year.

While Surprise remains a relatively safe city, this data point underscores the necessity of the department's strategic expansion and focus on proactive policing. The Crime Analysis Unit plays a vital role in utilizing this data to deploy resources effectively and target emerging crime series.

The department actively seeks resident input on its service and performance, utilizing tools like the Citizen Survey, which closed at the end of 2024, to gauge public perception and areas for improvement in its law enforcement service.

4. Community Engagement and Outreach Programs

The Surprise Police Department places a strong emphasis on community policing and building trust with residents. Several initiatives are central to this mission, creating vital links between officers and the public:

  • G.A.I.N. Night (Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods): An annual event where the Police and Fire-Medical Departments come together with the community for a night of public safety awareness and fun. The event is a cornerstone of the department's community engagement efforts.
  • City Court Academy: The SPD offers this program to educate citizens on the judicial process, with applications for the latest cohort due in late 2025.
  • Volunteer Organization: Established in 1997, a dedicated group of citizens volunteers their time to support the work of the police department, demonstrating a long-standing tradition of community partnership in Surprise.
  • Police Cadets Program: This program pledges to uphold the policies and procedures that dictate the Surprise Police Department, preparing future law enforcement professionals and fostering ethical and honest conduct.

These programs are vital for fostering the relationship between the Surprise Police Department and the residents it serves, reinforcing the department's mission of maintaining a safe community through extraordinary service.

5. The Future of Public Safety in Surprise

The combination of new leadership under Chief Evan Becher, the significant capital investment in new police substations, and the ongoing commitment to community engagement positions the Surprise Police Department for a future focused on modernization and efficiency. The FY2025 budget not only funds infrastructure but also introduces 59 new full-time positions across city services, which will undoubtedly bolster the department's capacity to handle the demands of a growing population.

The department's operational framework, supported by the four specialized divisions—Field Operations, Criminal Investigations, Administrative Services, and Professional Development—provides a robust foundation for tackling evolving challenges. As the City of Surprise continues its rapid growth, the department’s proactive steps, from land acquisition for future public safety hubs to the continuous collection of crime data and citizen feedback, demonstrate a clear strategy to ensure that extraordinary law enforcement service remains a hallmark of the community.

Residents can expect greater police visibility, improved response times as the new substations are developed, and a continued emphasis on the core values of Integrity and Professionalism under the new command. The City of Surprise Police Department is not just reacting to growth; it is strategically planning for a safer tomorrow.

5 Major Developments Reshaping the City of Surprise Police Department in 2025
city of surprise police department
city of surprise police department

Detail Author:

  • Name : Selena Thiel DVM
  • Username : fahey.lindsey
  • Email : georgette80@howe.com
  • Birthdate : 1975-03-30
  • Address : 3809 Glover Trail Apt. 103 Satterfieldmouth, CA 71447
  • Phone : (862) 309-7227
  • Company : Kessler, Beatty and Ernser
  • Job : Bartender Helper
  • Bio : Debitis ut sit perspiciatis alias. Minus nemo sed similique. Repellat architecto beatae impedit nisi ut. Quos est et qui voluptas.

Socials

linkedin:

tiktok:

  • url : https://tiktok.com/@frederick_dev
  • username : frederick_dev
  • bio : Aut architecto quas id aut culpa perspiciatis sit incidunt.
  • followers : 4474
  • following : 2175