The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office is losing its new Chief of Staff back to Pima County, the American Daily Independent has confirmed.
Mark Napier, who came to CCSO in late December 2020, has accepted an executive position in the Pima County Administrator’s Office starting next month. His departure as a fulltime Cochise County employee will be effective July 27 but he has promised Sheriff Mark Dannels to assist on a parttime basis with the transition.
Napier had a long career in law enforcement in Iowa and Arizona before being elected Pima County’s sheriff in a tight race with then-Sheriff Chris Nanos in November 2016. Nanos regained the spot as Pima County’s top lawman in November 2020, leaving Napier without a job.
At the same time, Dannels was wondering how to fill a major vacancy due to the retirement of his longtime Chief Deputy, Thad Smith. Cochise County created a new position, that of Chief of Staff, and Napier knew he had a new job in December.
But Napier was recently contacted by Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry about an opening on the county’s executive staff, an opportunity he says was “too big to turn down” even if it marks the end of a nearly four decade law enforcement career.
“The County Administrator contacted me and asked if I would come back as an Assistant County Administrator over Facilities, Office of Emergency Management, PCWIN (county’s emergency communications network), the Department of Elections and the Criminal Justice Reform Unit,” Napier announced in an email to CCSO personnel. “This is a huge career advancement step for me. I accepted the position and will start there in August.”
The announcement of Napier’s departure was made Friday morning in an all-staff email by Dannels, who offered his congratulations to his longtime friend even though he was “very disappointed” at the prospect of losing his Chief of Staff.
“He has truly helped move our office forward using his talents, skills and leadership for the good of this office and those we serve,” Dannels wrote, adding that Napier’s return to Pima County “is a tremendous career advancement opportunity for him to become part of the executive leadership team of a major county.”
Napier also sent an email to CCSO personnel on Friday noting that after his tenure as Pima County Sheriff ended he turned down other offers in order to work in Cochise County.
“I did that for two reasons. First, because I knew this was a great department full of amazing people. Second, because of our Sheriff. I have known him for a very long time and do not know any Sheriff who loves his community and agency more than he does.”
Napier’s email also addressed the fact he will no longer be working in law enforcement after nearly 40 years.
“It had to end sometime, and I am glad it ended with CCSO. I have very much enjoyed my time here and am ending my career with an agency I respect and admire,” he wrote.
Nanos told American Daily Independent that Huckelberry advised him of the job offer to Napier. “I have no problem with his decision,” the sheriff said.
