InMaricopa
New Maricopa police Chief James Hughes talked about earning the public trust during Tuesday night s Change of Command ceremony at City Hall. Photo by Victor Moreno
In a ceremony attended by family, friends and city officials, Commander James Hughes was officially sworn in Tuesday night as Maricopa’s newest chief of police, replacing retiring long-time chief Steve Stahl.
Hughes was one of the first people hired when Stahl became chief in 2012. His 34-year career in law enforcement began in Mendham Township, New Jersey, at the age of 19. The decision to come to Maricopa from a position as executive officer of the Honolulu Police Commission in Hawaii was made very quickly, he said.