About Us
Our Story
“We support Arizona Law Enforcement…”
Arizonans have always had an independent streak about them, and Arizona Law Enforcement Officers are no different. That is why in 1994 the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA) saw the need for a strong statewide voice for independent Arizona Law Enforcement Officers and the Associations that represent them.
PLEA President Mike Petchel began the discussions with several valley Associations about forming a Statewide association. And thus, on October 12th, 1994 the Arizona Police Association (APA) was incorporated. The plank member associations of the APA were the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, the Associated Highway Patrolman of Arizona, the Peoria Police Officers Association, the Mesa Police Association, and the Tucson Police Officers Association.
Soon after, one by one, several other independent valley metro police associations joined the APA making the voice louder and more powerful.
The APA was approached by a group of Arizona Department of Correction Officers who felt their interest where not being represented by their current labor group. The APA recognized the importance of Correction in the overall scope of public safety and agreed to help. The Arizona Corrections Association (ACA) was incorporated in June 2009 with the assistance of the APA and PLEA. As a result, the APA also speaks for county/local detention officers as well.
A major growth in the southern part of the state occurred when the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Arizona (CLEAA) joined the APA in 2012. CLEAA is a multi-association covering southern Arizona including the Arizona Probation Officers Association.
Then in 2015 the Northern Arizona Law Enforcement Association (NALEA) joined the APA bring multiple law enforcement associations with them.
Due to Arizona’s proximity to the southern border and the impact of illegal immigration the National Border Patrol local #2544 (Tucson) and U S Customs and Border Protection CH.16 saw the mutual benefits of APA membership. The APA is a valued partner for these two professional law enforcement associations at the state capital.
Today, the APA is the largest and most powerful legislative voice in Arizona. In addition, many of our member groups belong to the National Association of Police Organization (NAPO) which provides a national voice in Washington for independent Arizona Law Enforcement Officers.
“It is an honor to serve as your Director. The Arizona law Enforcement Association supports Arizona public safety professionals.”
-Mike Fane, Director
Legal Protections
Political Representation
Media Relations
Arizona Law Enforcement Association,
supporting our members …
Our Leadership…
Matt Medina
President
Lead Police Officer Matt Medina began his career with the Prescott Police Department in 2007 as a patrol officer. Throughout his career, he has served as a Lead Advisor of the Prescott Explorer Post, a SWAT operator, and a motor officer. In 2016, Lead Police Officer was voted in as President of the Prescott Police Association (PPA) and currently serves on the Arizona Peace Officer Standards & Training (AZPOST) Board, selected to serve on the Board by Governor Ducey in 2018. Lead Police Officer is a Big in Blue with Big Brothers Big Sisters, believes in servant leadership, and considers it a privilege to serve the citizens and visitors of Prescott. He has lived in Prescott with his wife of 29 years and two children since 2005.
Michael Oliver
Vice President
Michael was born and raised in Newport News, Virginia. It is there where he met his wife of 18 years and started a family. He was able to graduate from Virginia Tech with. Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
His career in law enforcement started in February of 2004 when he was hired by the Hampton Police Division. There he succeeded as a hard working and dedicated officer for the City of Hampton where he served for five years. With The City of Hampton, he served as a Field Training Officer and Narcotics Investigator.
In September of 2009, he decided to move to the great state of Arizona where he was hired with the Peoria Police Department and served the City of Peoria for nine years. While with the City of Peoria, he served as School Resource Officer, Crisis Negotiator, Commercial Vehicle Inspector, and Explorer Advisor.
He currently serves the City of Flagstaff as a Patrol Corporal within the police department. He has been with City of Flagstaff since December of 2018. Presently, he is the President of the Flagstaff Law Enforcement Association where he partners with all levels of city leadership to advocate for the health, safety, and well being of every officer, detective, and sergeant within the membership.
Levi Bolton
Consultant
Levi has served just over 32 years as an active duty police officer for the City of Phoenix Police Department. During his career he worked in Patrol, training Bureau, Crime Prevention Unit, Crime Analysis Unit, Community Action Officer, Detective Property Crimes, Neighborhood Response Unit, Tactical Response Unit, Law Special Unit and a full-time release officer as an Executive Board member of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association. Levi is trained polygraph examiner and certified as a mediator and served as one of the City of Phoenix Resolve employee mediators. He is a former faculty member of the National Law Enforcement Institute and instructed Interview Techniques for the Arizona School of Polygraph Science.
Following his retirement from the City of Phoenix in 2008, Levi was employed by the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association as a lobbyist and criminal justice liaison to work with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office as Brady vs. Maryland and Rule 15 issues. Levi served 5 years as the Executive Director of the Arizona Police Association. Levi has served as a panelist serving on a study committee for the Arizona House of Representatives on PTSD – Hyperbolic Treatment, His service as a panelist continued with appointments to Senate Committee on Body Worn Cameras. Levi is also an AZPOST certified general instructor and has a bachelor’s, masters, and doctorate degrees in criminal justice.