Ann Arbor Police Chief Andre Anderson announces retirement

Ann Arbor Police Chief Andre C. Anderson has decided to retire from the Ann Arbor Police Department in February 2027, concluding a tenure focused on strengthening community trust, improving departmental operations and preparing the organization for the future.

“The Ann Arbor community has certainly benefitted from having a person of Chief Anderson’s stature serving our city,” said City Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr. “He has demonstrated the ability to break down the complexities of policing and connect with the residents in a manner that reassured them the department was their partner in keeping the community safe. The philosophy, temperament and experience that he brought was not only timely, but aligned with what we value as a local community. I thank him for coming here, and I salute the contributions that he’s made.”

Anderson was sworn in as Ann Arbor’s police chief in February 2024. Before joining the Ann Arbor Police Department, Anderson served as executive assistant police chief in Tempe, Arizona; executive deputy police chief in Rochester, New York; interim police chief in Ferguson, Missouri; and commander in Glendale, Arizona.

Anderson has held national leadership roles with the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and was inducted into the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C., in recognition of his work in Ferguson.

The department's accomplishments under Anderson's leadership include:

Community Trust & Collaboration

Enhanced partnerships with the Independent Community Police Oversight Commission (ICPOC) by advancing transparency and aligning policies with community values. Coordinated strategic meetings with the City of Ann Arbor’s Human Rights Commission and the NAACP addressing key directives to prioritize procedural justice while actively addressing harm reduction through alternative response models and implementing trauma-informed training. Reviewed and revised the police department’s policy manual to ensure constitutional policing and national best practices, directly led to renewed CALEA national accreditation and elevated professional standards of policies.

Community Policing & Engagement

Expanded community policing efforts through neighborhood-based patrol assignments, increasing officers’ presence and engagement with residents, business owners and community organizations. Created the Office of Community Policing where police officers participated in more than 125 neighborhood events, introduced youth outreach through programs such as Ann Arbor Police We CARE, Safety Town, Blaze and Blue, and Fishing with a Cop, educating more than 500 children annually. Reinstated the department’s eight-week Community Police Academy after a decade-long hiatus, giving residents an opportunity to participate and learn more about the department’s operations and build stronger relationships with officers.

Advancing Alternative Response & Public Safety Technology

Advanced public safety initiatives focused on community well-being and alternative responses to crises. In partnership with city leadership and Washtenaw County Community Mental Health, the department established a Crisis Intervention/Alternative Response Coordinator position and launched A2 REACH, a co-response program that connects people experiencing mental and behavioral health crises with specialized support. The department also introduced an unmanned aerial systems (drone) program to support emergency response, search-and-rescue operations and public safety, with safeguards to protect privacy.

Large-Scale Event Operations & Preparedness

Strengthened the department’s ability to safely manage Ann Arbor’s major events, supporting the city’s vibrant community and economy. AAPD coordinated security and traffic operations for more than 520 major events over the past two years, serving more than 6 million visitors and residents. These included hosting major political figures, University of Michigan football games, the Ann Arbor Art Fair, the Big House 5K, and Michigan Stadium’s first major concert, which drew more than 50,000 attendees. These operations were conducted without major incidents while helping keep residents and visitors safe.

Departmental Growth & Leadership Development

Strengthened department capacity through strategic recruitment, staffing, and leadership development. Implemented a targeted hiring plan to address organizational shortages and attrition, successfully onboarding sworn officers, cadets, and civilian staff (professional staff). Furthermore, promoted multi-level supervisors and provided command staff with premier professional development opportunities. This included specialized training with subject matter experts from the NYPD, Leadership in Police Organizations, Northwestern University’s Center for Public Safety, and other leading institutions on issues including community policing and trauma-informed policing, and de-escalation. These strategic investments foster a professional, well-prepared department dedicated to serving the Ann Arbor community.

"My deepest respect and gratitude belong to the people of Ann Arbor and to the exceptional men and women of the Ann Arbor Police Department,” Anderson said. “The trust this community places in its police officers is a responsibility that has never been taken for granted. Every day, I have witnessed our personnel demonstrate professionalism, compassion, courage, and an unwavering commitment to serving others. Their efforts have made a meaningful difference in the lives of countless residents, and I am proud to have served alongside them." 

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Media Contact: 

Chris Page, Ann Arbor Police Department Communications Manager, cpage@a2gov.org