POLICE Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Arizona Assistant Chief Fired for Hacking

On March 11, Mesa, Ariz., Assistant Chief Kathy Kirkham was terminated three days short of qualifying for her pension, which includes 50 percent of her salary for life and lifetime medical benefits.

March 27, 2013
1 min to read


Only two years ago, Kathy Kirkham was Mesa's top ranking female police officer as an assistant police chief, with glowing reviews praising her commitment to excellence.

But on March 11, Kirkham was terminated three days short of qualifying for her pension, which includes 50% of her salary for life and lifetime medical benefits.

Ad Loading...

Steve Wright, a city spokesman, said Kirkham was terminated for cause and has appealed her dismissal. "It involved accessing a computer database without authorization," Wright said without elaborating exactly how she used the email.

Ryan Russell, the president of the Mesa Police Association told the Arizona Republic  the firing is an injustice and denied allegations that she misused Police Chief Frank Milstead's email.

Ad Loading...

More Technology

Thumbnail for POLICE video From the Show Floor: Motorola Solutions
Technologyby Wayne ParhamDecember 4, 2025

From the Show Floor: Motorola Solutions

In this video, learn about the Motorola Solutions ecosystem and how it provides tools that enhance the efficiency and safety of police officers. You’ll hear about the APX NEXT radio and SVX system, Assisted Narrative, and more.

Read More →
Black and purple background with logos for Veritone and Armada
TechnologyDecember 4, 2025

Veritone & Armada Partner to Deliver Mission-Critical Edge Intelligence for Public Safety

Veritone and Armada will deliver a fully integrated edge-to-enterprise data fabric, capable of ingesting high-volume audio, video, drone, and sensor streams in the field and transforming them into actionable intelligence.

Read More →
Closeup photo of man's hand holding a phone with an app displayed and out of focus police cars in the background
TechnologyDecember 3, 2025

Genetec Launches Cloudrunner Mobile App for Real-Time Vehicle Investigations in the Field

Genetec’s new Cloudrunner Mobile app extends Cloudrunner capabilities to the field, giving law enforcement and security professionals faster access to data and alerts wherever they are.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SponsoredNovember 3, 2025

Learning How to Manage Your Fleet?

Watch this tutorial on how fleet management platforms work. You’ll see how easily you can integrate fleet telematics, dash cameras, and asset management in a single pane of glass and manage your fleet more effectively.

Read More →
thumbnail from video series From the Show Floor, headline features Semtech.
Technologyby Wayne ParhamOctober 31, 2025

From the Show Floor: Semtech

Learn about the latest ruggedized routers designed for public safety vehicles as POLICE visits with Greg Hill of Semtech. These routers are equipped with the latest 5G technology.

Read More →
patrolfinder - reducing crime thumbnail
SponsoredOctober 27, 2025

How One Police Department Cut Crime by 46% with Smarter Patrol Management

Discover how one police department cut crime nearly in half using smarter patrol data. This whitepaper breaks down the real-world strategy behind a 46% drop in vehicle thefts, improved officer safety, and stronger community visibility.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of three computer screens displaying software soluitions in a trade show booth.
TechnologyOctober 26, 2025

Genetec Showcases Its Latest Public Safety Innovations at IACP 2025

Genetec demonstrated its Cloudrunner, Citigraf, and Clearance during IACP 2025 to show how they can provide law enforcement with a unified situational awareness to make cities safer.

Read More →
Analysts reviewing geospatial data on multiple computer screens in a monitoring center
PatrolOctober 14, 2025

Ohio’s Statewide Drone First Responder Program to Take Flight

Over the next two years, the Ohio DFR Pilot Program will equip municipalities with advanced drone systems, deliver comprehensive training for first responders, and enable FAA-approved Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations.

Read More →
Forensic investigators documenting a crime scene using 3D scanning technology, with Z3D software displayed on a laptop and a FARO 3D scanner on a tripod.
SponsoredOctober 7, 2025

Beyond the Scene: Next-Gen 3D Forensics

Crime scene documentation demands speed, precision and clarity. Join FARO’s forensic experts to explore how the latest 3D scanning innovations are transforming crime scene analysis. Learn how mobile and stationary 3D scanners streamline workflows, reduce human error and deliver courtroom-ready visuals. Whether you're focused on data integrity, operational efficiency or evidence presentation, this session will show you how to capture, analyze and communicate scene data faster and more accurately than ever before.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
White City of Tampa police SUV parked on street with palm trees
TechnologySeptember 10, 2025

Tampa Police Department Deploys More Than 950 5G Smartphones

Tampa Police Department has deployed more than 950 5G-enabled smartphones through Verizon Frontline to support its Connected Officer initiative and enhance field communications.

Read More →