South Pasadena Police Chief Art Miller is leaving his position here, most likely to take over a slightly larger police department in Arizona.
Miller’s last day on the job will be Aug. 18 and probably will be starting his new job around the first week in September, officials said. He has accepted the post of police chief for Peoria, Arizona. However, Peoria has not officially announced Miller as the new police chief, which is expected to occur around the end of the month.
The Peoria Police Department has about 200 sworn officers while So Pas has 36. Peoria has been looking for a new police chief for the past six months and Miller was a finalist out of 55 applicants. Miller was planning on retiring in the same area.
South Pasadena officials declined to comment regarding Miller’s departure, except to say that the official announcement will come from Peoria.
“We believe it’s up to the city of Peoria to make the announcement,” said John Pope, interim public information officer for South Pasadena. “We are going to make our announcement in terms of an interim chief in the next couple of weeks. Maybe at the next City Council meeting.”
Miller started with the So Pas Police Department in February 2013, having come from the Los Angeles Police Department as a captain of the Metro Division.
A farewell celebration is scheduled for Miller August 16 at the War Memorial Building at 435 Fair Oaks Ave.
