Amy Bonney, a Prescott native, attended Prescott High School in the early 1990s where she was an honor student, an athlete — track and field— and a flautist in the orchestra and the Badger marching band. When she graduated in 1994, she enrolled at Northern Arizona University (NAU) and initially was pleased by brighter lights, a greater variety of shopping and malls, and more social events.
However, “That four years I was away made me realize Prescott was the only place for me.”
When she graduated from NAU in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice and minor in Spanish, she returned to Prescott. She applied for and was accepted as an officer in the Prescott Police Department (PPD). She rose through the ranks and was promoted to deputy chief in 2016. Just a few years later, she would be named as the PPD chief of police.
Al ong the way she married Prescott Valley policeman Brandon Bonney, now retired. They have an 11-year- old daughter Reagan and live near Amy’s parents and enjoy a strong and close family relationship.
Almost immediately on her return to Prescott, she would become involved in civic and community activities that ultimately would propel her to prominence in her hometown. For example, within the past two years, she has participated in the popular Prescott version of “Dancing with the Stars.” She was nominated this past year for the prestigious Athena “Woman of the Year” award. And just this past Jan. 9, she was invited to conduct the opening number —The Star-Spangled Banner — for the Arizona Philharmonic Orchestra concert at the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center.
Bonney is emphatic that the best thing she ever did in her career was to return to Prescott. “Once I graduated from NAU, I knew immediately I wanted to ‘go home.’ I never applied anywhere else. Prescott is the only place for me and my family.”
Prescott LIVING:
Chief, you are a native of Prescott. Are your parents natives, too?
Chief Amy Bonney:
No. They came here in the mid-‘70s from Pennsylvania. They moved here, and my mom took a job with the Veteran’s Administration. An only child, I attended Prescott schools.
Prescott LIVING:
At one time, you were going to be a musician.
Chief Amy Bonney:
That was the original plan. I did a lot with music from the time I was probably in third or fourth grade. I loved it. During my high school years, in particular, I spent a lot of time doing music — instrumental and choral. When I first enrolled at Northern Arizona University, I thought I would be a music major. That lasted about six weeks. When I took a music theory class, I learned there is a lot of math in music theory. I don’t like math. But I did continue to play the flute there.
“We have a dedicated, professional and compassionate group of people who just work so hard every single day to serve this community and to keep this community safe.”
– Chief Amy Bonney
Prescott LIVING:
You were also a high school athlete.
Chief Amy Bonney:
Yes. I did track, shot put and discus. One year I actually tried my hand or my legs at triple jump and long jump. I am very short, relatively speaking. Why one of the coaches said, “Oh, you should try this,” still baffles me. But I did that for a season. That was fun, too.
Prescott LIVING:
What prompted you to enroll into criminal justice at NAU?
Chief Amy Bonney:
When I was in high school, I was part of a Boy Scout Explorer Post Program sponsored by Prescott Police Department. I had wonderful mentors — the officers that led our Explorer Post. I always had that interest in the profession. When I really knew that music wasn’t my thing, I started taking criminal justice classes. I knew I didn’t want to be a lawyer. I really started taking a look at what being a police officer would entail. I had several friends who had gone into the profession. The longer I thought about it, the more I knew that was what I was really called to do.
Prescott LIVING:
Tell me what an Explorer Post is? What do they do?
Chief Amy Bonney:
At the time, it was a group of young people in high school. It was a volunteer
opportunity through the Boy Scouts of America. We did all sorts of things. We had weekly meetings, we did ride-alongs with police. We helped at accident scenes. We just learned from them. We did service for the community. Unfortunately, we don’t have an Explorer Post
anymore, but we are working on something to substitute for that.
Prescott LIVING:
Why did you come back to Prescott after you completed your degree?
Chief Amy Bonney:
I was born and raised here. I always thought, “I am going to move away like every kid does.” I went to Flagstaff, not that far away. What I really realized is that Prescott had everything I ever wanted. I’m definitely not a partying kind of person. I didn’t need lots of nightclubs or anything like that, especially when I was younger. Prescott is beautiful. My family lives here. I realized if I am going to go down this road in law enforcement, there is absolutely no other place I would want to do it.
Prescott LIVING:
What appealed to you about joining the Prescott Police Department? Why not the sheriff’s department or state police?
Chief Amy Bonney:
First and foremost, it was just the early mentorship and the leadership of the people that really helped me get into this profession. They absolutely could have treated us high school kids like we were a bunch of snot-nosed brats hanging around. They didn’t. They were all wonderful to us. They treated us like we were future professionals. I credit that a lot with why I wanted to be here.
The Prescott Police Department has always maintained a reputation of being a professional organization with good people at its core. Nothing about that has ever changed throughout the 23-plus years I have been working here. I look around at the other agencies. I actually didan internship in Prescott Valley when I was at NAU. I did some research. I just really recognized that Prescott was the place for me. I think the type of police work that we do, the type of relationships we have with our community, is completely unmatched. It definitely fits with my personality.
I am so proud to be a member of the Kiwanis Club of Prescott-I am the current immediate past president of the club. This was taken when Reagan was pinning me as I was sworn in as President in 2020.
Prescott LIVING:
You’ve taught at NARTA (the Northern Arizona Regional Training Academy at Yavapai College). What did you teach?
Chief Amy Bonney:
I had the opportunity to be a report writing instructor. Not a lot of people fought for that, wanting to teach report writing. However, it is such an important part of what we
do — such an important and integral aspect of conducting solid investigations — so I taught that. I also was a recruit training officer for one class; I spent the entire term leading and working with these younger recruits, helping them to be better prepared to serve in the industry.
Prescott LIVING:
You also were a crisis negotiator.
Chief Amy Bonney:
Yes. Crisis negotiators are attached to our SWAT teams. We would go out when we had any type of search warrant, a barricade or anything like that, and try to talk the people out. Of course, our last resort is utilization of a tactical team, SWAT. We have it because it is important. We have the ability to respond that way. If we can talk somebody down — if they are suicidal, or have mental health challenges, or have committed a crime and just don’t want to go to jail, it is always better for us to talk them out. I did that for over 10 years with our SWAT team.
Prescott LIVING:
Chief, you received bike certification. You said it was the hardest thing you have ever done. What is it?
Chief Amy Bonney:
As you can imagine, I have done all different sorts of training and have earned all different sorts of certifications. I have to tell you that 40-plus hour police mountain bike class was the hardest class I have ever taken. When I had the opportunity to lead the Community Services Team when our bike squad opened up, I was moved there as a sergeant. Of course, I wanted to get the bike certification. I thought, “I can ride a mountain bike.”
It was unlike any mountain biking I have ever done. I am not a technical rider. I have ridden
some very basic trails. This involved learning how to go down long flights of stairs, learning how to go up a couple of steps on a bicycle. Riding tight corners and tight turns. I fell off that bike more times than I can count. At the time, my parents were living with us because they were building a house. I walked into the living room one day. My mom saw my legs. They were black and blue — every inch. She was like, “You’re going to get a blood clot. This is not good.” It was definitely very challenging. I am very proud that I am still a certified police mountain bike rider.
Prescott LIVING:
You worked with special investigation teams. What do you do?
Chief Amy Bonney:
I did about a yearlong rotation. We don’t have the same teams anymore. It was a group of three officers. We were assigned to target specific areas. At the time, we were having problems with burglaries and the reselling of stolen property. We also were having a lot of problems on our trails and in our bathrooms here with some prostitution. We did a lot of work making sure our trails, our bathrooms in our city parks, those type of things were cleaned up and well policed.
Prescott LIVING:
You later were assigned to the communications division for the Prescott Regional Communications Center. What did you do?
Chief Amy Bonney:
I was promoted to lieutenant in 2012. I had the opportunity to manage the Regional Communications Center. I will tell you it was one of the most eye-opening things that I ever did. The communication aspect of any public safety agency is something that is often overlooked. You have to remember that any law enforcement or fire entity works 24/7/365. They don’t operate in a vacuum or a bubble. They are supported by men and women who answer 911, who answer the radio, send us to the calls and help us support our efforts. That gave me a wonderful opportunity and a privilege to lead those people.
Prescott LIVING:
You got an advanced degree from the University of Phoenix. You also graduated from the National FBI Academy. What does that involve?
Chief Amy Bonney:
In 2014, I was awarded a position at the FBI National Academy, an international leadership academy in Quantico, Virginia. I actually had the opportunity to go there and train. I lived there for 10 weeks and trained with 210 other law enforcement professionals, not only from around the country but also from around the globe. They focus on leadership training, executive- level law enforcement development and networking. It really creates this network of professional law enforcement practitioners who learn from one another. We bounce ideas off each other all the time. It is just a wonderful organization.
As a result of graduating from there, I was awarded a scholarship for further training. I am so blessed I had a full scholarship to obtain my master’s degree in public administration.
Prescott LIVING:
What prompted you to apply for the chief position in Prescott?
Chief Amy Bonney:
I was so fortunate. I had worked up to the rank of deputy chief in 2016. I certainly did not begin my career thinking “OK, someday I am going to be the chief.” I’d thought of that goal, but I didn’t want to be the chief anywhere but here. When Chief Deborah Black announced her retirement, I thought, “OK, I’m ready.” I have had some wonderful leadership and mentors. Chief Black and I worked very closely together. She afforded me so many opportunities to do things as the deputy chief. That really made me very well prepared to step into that role.
Prescott LIVING:
You told me something I hope you can amplify. You said, “I believe God creates our advance and guides our steps.”
Chief Amy Bonney:
Clearly, this is where He wants me to be. My faith is something I rely on every single day. I do firmly believe that God puts us in situations where we can best meet the need and where we can best show His love. That sounds a little bit sappy, but I think we are in a service profession, and we have to take care of people and we have to love people. Every opportunity that we have to just serve and be His hands and feet, I think, is important.
Prescott LIVING:
Tell us about your family. Your parents live here. Your husband Brandon works at Trinity Christian School. Your daughter Reagan goes to school there.
Chief Amy Bonney:
We are a very close family, very supportive of one another. I am so fortunate that my parents are here. They are healthy, enjoying life and help a lot. We do all sorts of activities together. I will say when I first started my mom was not especially thrilled that I was going to be a police officer. (chuckles) Oh well, whatever I can do to be a little bit rebellious.
Brandon is a retired Prescott Valley police lieutenant. And now he does all sorts of assignments at Trinity. It’s like a combination of security and handyman work, plus substitute teaching.
Prescott LIVING:
Your daughter Reagan is an athlete, too.
Chief Amy Bonney:
She’s a much better athlete than I ever was or could ever dream of being. She plays volleyball, softball and soccer and cross country. She loves all of those. When she came to me this year and said she wanted to do cross country, I teased her, ‘You’ve never even run around the block.’ But she has been training. She loves it. The Trinity girls cross country team is doing fantastic.
Prescott LIVING:
You’re really active in the community. You just passed over the gavel after finishing your term as president of Kiwanis. You work with Teen’s Closet, Women Who Care, America Lutheran Church. You’ve been in “Dancing With The Stars.” You were nominated this year for an Athena Award.
Chief Amy Bonney:
The programs and organizations I’m involved in are just part of why I love Prescott so much. I’ve always loved being involved in the community. When I was growing up, I was blessed to
be surrounded by wonderful people who supported and encouraged me. Giving back just seems so natural. Yes, I’m busy, but it is fun, and I get to meet many people I’d otherwise not have a chance to spend time with. I do have a life beyond just being with the police department. Sir Robert Peel, we talk about him a lot with his Principles of Policing.
(Editor’s note: Peel was a conservative British statesman in the early 19th century and is credited with developing the principles of modern police departments.)
He said, “The police are the community, and the community are the police.” It really is true.
You can’t be part of a community without getting out there and doing things outside of your normal day in, day out. We try to encourage all of our colleagues to do that.
Prescott LIVING:
Describe the crime rate in Prescott?
Chief Amy Bonney:
We are lower in most of the areas that probably matter to people. We do not have a very high violent crime rate. You can walk down the street in Prescott and you can be very safe. That’s something that we work very hard to maintain. In terms of other concerns, we do have an issue, as does every community, with domestic and family violence.
The other thing that literally just keeps me awake at night is illegal drugs. It is not just in Prescott, it really isn’t. It is a nationwide problem we are seeing, especially with counterfeit pills. That is mostly what we are seeing here in Prescott.
When I first started, we had a huge meth problem. It never went away. It just faded into the
background when we started seeing these issues with heroin. But now, we don’t see people sitting on street corners injecting heroin into their veins. What we do see and what
we do know is that a tremendous counterfeit pill problem — fentanyl — in our state and in our country. We have had children, 10 and 11 year olds, and teenagers who have had fatal overdoses of drugs. It isn’t the stereotypical addicts that we all imagine in our heads; it really is our kids. It’s the people who are sitting next to you in the movie theater.
It scares the daylights out of me.
Prescott LIVING:
How big of a department do you have now?
Chief Amy Bonney:
We have 74 authorized sworn police officers and 122 full-time employees from our communications center to our records clerk including our police officers and support teams. Actually, one of the very first things I started working on was updating our strategic plan and really focusing on what we need in order to continue to maintain the type of community that we all know and enjoy. We’re analyzing that right now.
Recruiting is a big challenge nationwide. I think the rhetoric and narrative that has been churning in our 24/7 news cycle the past couple of years has not done us as a profession any favors. We are really working hard to recruit and focus on maintaining the very best, sustaining that professional standard of hiring the right people.
I think any movement to defund law enforcement is really born out of people’s frustrations. We have seen times in history when people are frustrated. Police are a very, very visible aspect of government. When police do something, it usually receives a lot of attention. That’s completely understandable. We are no strangers to having the spotlight shine on us. What my belief and concern is that when people say “defund,” what they really want us to do is to look at the way we are responding to certain crimes. Discussions can very quickly derail and create a lot of misconceptions and miscommunication. It can be really dangerous.
I am thankful that in this community we have not had those discussions. In fact, people are often asking us what they can do to better support us.
Prescott LIVING:
Does Prescott have a gang issue?
Chief Amy Bonney:
We do have gangs from time to time. They are not as active or of the same nature as you would see in larger cities. When we do have problems, we work with the Arizona Department of Public Safety. It has a state gang taskforce. We work with them to identify any issues, whether it’s outlaw motorcycle gangs or other gangs that might infiltrate.
Prescott LIVING:
Anything you would like to share with readers — something that you would like for people to know about what you as a police force are doing here in Prescott?
Chief Amy Bonney:
There is so much, of course, I want to tell people. The police department employees who serve here are the absolute best. They are all serving because they care about this community. We have a dedicated, professional and compassionate group of people who just work so hard every single day to serve this community and to keep this community safe. I encourage people to learn more about us. Attend our Citizen Academies when we have them and just learn about everything the city is doing — everything the police department is doing to provide quality law enforcement services and really work in partnership with the community to keep this a great place to be.
Prescott LIVING:
Identify three passions you have and are committed to.
Chief Amy Bonney:
“That’s a tough one. I’m passionate about a lot of things, but if I had to pick my top three, I think they would be these: my faith; second, my family and friends — and, yes, that’s two in one; and finally, Prescott.”
