Law Enforcement Merit System Council

The Law Enforcement Merit System Council adopts rules for the Department of Public Safety and the Arizona Police Officer Standards and Training Board that pertain to:

1. classification and compensation plans 

2. standards and qualifications for all classified positions 

3. fair and impartial selection, appointment, probation, promotion, retention and separation or removal from service by resignation, retirement, reduction in force or dismissal of covered employees 

4. a performance appraisal system which is used to evaluate the work performance of covered employees 

5. hearings of employee grievances related to classification, compensation and employee appraisals

The Law Enforcement Merit System Council adopts rules for all Arizona State Agencies that have a AZPOST certified full-authority police officer in a covered position that requires the certification, in regards to the procedures for the conduct of appeal hearings connected to suspension, demotion, reduction in pay and loss of accrued leave of covered employees.

The Law Enforcement Merit System Council consists of five members nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate to serve three-year terms. Members are chosen on the basis of experience in and sympathy with merit principles of public employment.

Meet the Council

Teri L. Mingus

Teri Mingus has been involved in public service for more than 35 years in different capacities. She is a retired sworn law enforcement officer after servicing for 25.5 years with the City of Detroit (Michigan) Police Department (DPD), advancing five ranks during her tenure. During her Law Enforcement career, Ms.Mingus attended and graduated the FBI National Academy (Session 203) and Northwestern University Center for Public Safety School of Police Staff and Command. After retiring from the DPD, Ms. Mingus moved to Arizona and worked for the City of Mesa Police Department at the Mesa Family Advocacy Center as a Victim Advocate/Community Educational Outreach Facilitator, providing services and resources to victims of crime and their families.

Ms. Mingus has a master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Human Services and Counseling, a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary/Justice Studies, as well as her Post-Bachelor in Elementary Education. She is a Certified Forensic Interviewer, Elementary (K-8) educator, Crisis Interventionist and Certified AZ POST Instructor.

Ms. Mingus has been a volunteer with the State of Arizona, Dependent Children’s Services Division since2003 as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). In this capacity she advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court and other settings.

Ms. Mingus was appointed to the Law Enforcement Merit System Council in March 2016 and is the current Council Vice-Chair. Ms. Mingus currently works with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) as an Independent Consultant/Lead Facilitator for the Law Enforcement Victim Advocacy Program.

Ed Novak

Ed Novak is a shareholder of Polsinelli PC and has been in private practice in Arizona since 1979. Mr. Novak currently serves on the board of a veterans' homeless shelter. He has served on the board of the Arizona School for the Arts, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, the ASU Art Museum, and other charitable organizations. 

Mr. Novak is the chair of the Arizona Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness. Mr. Novak is a past state bar president and adjunct ethics professor. Mr. Novak's legal practice involves both civil and criminal litigation representing both individuals and companies. He has represented companies and their employees in government investigations, state agencies, and officials in civil and criminal investigations, lawyers and judges in discipline investigations, and individuals in personal injury matters. 

Mr. Novak was appointed to the Law Enforcement Merit System Council in May 2021 and is a member of the Council. 

Rick Salyers

Mr. Rick Salyers served 33 years of active duty and reserves for the United States Marine Corp, retiring as a CW05 in August 2005.  In 1990 was selected as Company Grade Officer of the year.  During his service, he was deployed many times. Desert Shield/ Desert Storm, Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  In Operation Iraqi Freedom he served with I Marine Expeditionary Forces as a Counterintelligence/HUMINT Officer. His primary mission was to combat insurgency and terrorists.  Awarded 42 medals and ribbons. Bronze Star, Navy Commendation medal with “V” for Valor, President Citation Combat Action ribbon and more.

Mr. Rick Salyers served as a member of the Phoenix Fire Department for 33 years from 1981 until his retirement in 2014.  As a Captain/Paramedic assigned to the City of Phoenix’s Homeland Defense Bureau, Mr. Salyers served as their Intelligence Program Manager.  He was also the Director of the Terrorism Liaison Officer (LTO) Program for the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center (ACTIC), which is Arizona’s fusion center.  This position oversaw all law enforcement and fire department LTO personnel in Arizona.  Mr. Rick Salyers was awarded the ACTIC Director’s Award.  He was also inducted into Arizona’s Firefighter’s Hall of Fame in 2015.

In July 2016, Mr. Salyers was appointed to the Law Enforcement Merit System Council and reappointed in 2020. He currently serves as a board member.

Richard K. Walker

Rick Walker has advised and represented corporate clients - including numerous Fortune 500 corporations - on a national basis for over forty years. As a partner in some of the most prominent national firms in the U.S., he earned a sterling reputation for adept handling of complex litigation, including cases with highly complex technological issues and class action suits, and for his penetrating analyses and innovative strategies. Mr. Walker has also successfully represented employers in the full range of labor and employment law and is well-known for defending employers against claims brought under whistleblower protection laws. He has also represented large classes of New York City police officers in litigation where their promotions were threatened by employment discrimination class actions brought by other officers.

Mr. Walker is a former tenured law professor who taught courses in civil procedure, employment discrimination, labor law, and evidence, and he is a member of the bars of Arizona and the District of Columbia. He has spoken and written extensively on litigation and employment subjects.

Mr. Walker was appointed to the Arizona Law Enforcement Merit System Council in August 2015 and is the current Council Chair.

Honors

Litigation Counsel of America (Fellow, 2011-present); Southwest Superlawyers (2005-2008: Employment & Labor; 2009-present: Business Litigation); The Best Lawyers in America (2005-present; Labor and Employment Law); Arizona’s Finest Lawyers (2011); Marquis Who’s Who in American Law; Marquis Who’s Who in America; Marquis Who’s Who in the World; National Registry of Who’s Who; American Registry of Outstanding Professionals; Strathmore’s Who’s Who. Mr. Walker is Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent 5.0 of 5 peer review rated.