Gary Minor

Firearms & Tactics Instructor

As a second-generation police officer, Gary entered his career in 1990 by joining the Manchester Police Department in Connecticut, where for seven years he held positions in patrol, SWAT, and as a K-9 Handler.   

 

In 1997, Gary joined the Chandler Police Department in Arizona and has held various positions.  As a detective, Gary was assigned to the Sex Crimes Unit where he investigated and arrested those who sexually assaulted and/or physically abused victims.  

 

Later, he was assigned to the Robbery/Homicide Unit, where he worked as a member on a team of detectives charged with investigating crimes of aggravated assault, violent robberies, and homicides.  In 2010, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant where he led patrol teams in the Chandler Heights and Desert Breeze Precincts.  As a detective sergeant, he led the Family Crimes Unit and was a coordinator of the Arizona Child Abduction Response Team (AZCART).  As an instructor, he mentored police personnel in responding to missing and abducted children as well as bringing instruction and awareness to Adverse Child Experiences (ACEs).  In 2017, Gary was promoted to lieutenant and served as a watch commander and later assigned to the Person Crimes Section leading the: Robbery/Homicide Unit, Family Violence Unit, Sex Crimes Unit, and Victims Services Unit.  Gary was active in developing leadership training and instructed courses on team building and patrol supervisors’ response to officer-involved shootings. 

 

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Education, Career and Technical Education through Northern Arizona University.

 

In 2019, Gary suffered a stroke and was forced to retire from law enforcement.  The part of his brain that controls language was damaged, Gary had to relearn how to speak, read, and write again.   Navigating aphasia is now part of his daily journey on this path to recovery, he hopes to inspire others with his story.