Phoenix police veteran Jeri Williams sworn in as the first female chief of the Phoenix Police Department and officially took control of the largest law-enforcement agency of the state. She replaced Chief Joe Yahner, who retired after 31 years at the department.

"I am your chief and a proud and humbled representative of this city, the Phoenix Police Department and the community," Williams said.

"I have been given so much by so many of you here in this room, as well as outside those doors, it is now required of me to step out on faith, experience,leadership and grace and lead this agency forward into a bright future."

Phoenix's first female police chief was sworn in by her husband, Judge Cody Williams of the South Mountain Justice Court and greeted with a choir performance from her alma mater, Maryvale High School. Mayor Greg Stanton lauded her at the ceremony.

“I am a proud and humbled representative of this city and the city of Phoenix Police Department and this community. And I’ve said this before: It has been said, to whom much is given, much is required,” she said.

Williams has returned home after a five-year stint as the police chief of Oxnard, California. She was elected from over 60 applications came for the job.

Also Read: Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio formally charged with criminal contempt!

Nandini