Lt. Col. Jason Leonard

Criminal Investigations Division

On April 5, 2025, Lt. Colonel Jason Leonard was appointed Assistant Director of the Criminal Investigations Division, bringing over 25 years of law enforcement experience to the role. His distinguished career spans a wide range of assignments, including Highway Patrol, Criminal Investigations, Agency Support, and the Director’s Office.

Lt. Colonel Leonard began his career in 1999 after graduating from the Arizona Law Enforcement Academy. His first assignments as a State Trooper included serving in Highway Patrol Districts 2 (Page and Gray Mountain) and 12 (Camp Verde). In 2007, he was promoted to Sergeant and assigned to District 1 in Kingman.

Demonstrating his leadership and tactical expertise, Lt. Colonel Leonard joined the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team in 2013, serving as a part-time member before transitioning to the Firearms Training Unit in 2014. In 2016, he earned the rank of Captain and took on the role of District Commander for the Special Operations District, overseeing SWAT, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), and the Hazardous Materials Response Unit (HMRU).

Lt. Colonel Leonard further expanded his operational experience in 2018 when he was assigned to Internal Affairs. In 2020, he returned as Special Operations District Commander, reinforcing his comprehensive leadership in high-stakes situations.

In 2021, he was promoted to Major and assumed command of the Investigations Bureau within the Criminal Investigations Division. The following year, he was appointed Chief of Staff for the Highway Patrol Division. In early 2025, he returned to the Investigations Bureau and was promoted to Lt. Colonel in April, assuming his current role as Assistant Director of the Criminal Investigations Division.

An accomplished leader, Lt. Colonel Leonard has completed specialized training in Leadership in Police Organizations (LPO), National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) SWAT Command and Leadership, and is a graduate of the prestigious Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy (FBINA). He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Career and Technical Education from Northern Arizona University and a Master's Degree in Public Safety from the University of Virginia.

Throughout his career, Lt. Colonel Leonard has remained dedicated to serving the people of Arizona with integrity, deeply valuing his family, colleagues, and the community.