Maricopa Police Chief Patrick Melvin was appointed by Gov. Janet Napolitano Sept. 14 to serve as one of nine members of the state’s African-American Affairs Department, city officials announced.
Melvin’s role as part of the commission will be to address strategies to benefit Arizona’s African-American population in social, economic and educational respects. The commission advises both state and federal agencies and provides advisement to the governor’s office and state Legislature.
Melvin said while he has served on several boards in the past, this was his first time serving on a committee of this magnitude.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to serve on a more global aspect,” he said. “I looked up the names of the people serving and (the commission) has got a pretty good cross-section of people. I’m elated that Pinal County and our city are going to be represented.”
Melvin was honored by Mayor Kelly Anderson for his appointment during the City Council’s Sept. 18 meeting.
