Roger Vanderpool, Director
Roger Vanderpool, Director
Roger Vanderpool was appointed director of the Arizona Department of Public Safety by Governor Janet Napolitano in March 2005. The Wabash, Ind. native has been an exceptional law enforcement officer and leader for more than 32 years, beginning his career as a military policeman in the U.S. Army. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Vanderpool continued his law enforcement career with the Goshen, Ind., Police Department.
In February 1980, he entered the DPS academy and, after graduation, he drew Kayenta as his first assignment with the Highway Patrol. From Kayenta, he transferred to Lakeside before accepting an assignment with DPS Criminal Investigations in Show Low. He promoted to sergeant in 1987, and transferred to Casa Grande where he continued to work in Criminal Investigations. Following his promotion to lieutenant in 1994, he became the Highway Patrol commander in Casa Grande and eventually a CI commander. He retired from DPS in February 2000 as commander of the Western Region Organized Crime and Narcotics Division.
Vanderpool was elected as sheriff of Pinal County in November 2000 and was praised by community leaders for implementing drastic improvements within the agency. Voters overwhelmingly reelected him to a second term as sheriff in 2004. Vanderpool is a graduate of the FBI national academy, the Arizona State University Public Executive Institute and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Task Force Commanders School.
Vanderpool, who serves on numerous state boards and commissions, is also active with many charitable organizations in the community and has been the recipient of many awards during his career, including Arizona Administrators state employee of the year and American Legion law enforcement officer of the year.
He was also the recipient of the first Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (LECC) Ethics Award. He also received a U.S. Congressional commendation for his community policing programs.
