Assistant Chief Mario Leon began his law enforcement career with the Santa Cruz (California) Police Department in 1996. In 2006, A/C Leon moved to Tucson and joined UAPD. Since that time, A/C Leon has served in uniformed patrol, bicycle patrol, investigations, and as a field training officer. A/C Leon is also a department firearms instructor and defensive tactics instructor. A/C Leon has attended both the FBI National Academy (Session #264) and the Senior Management Institute for Police. He also holds a masters degree in Public Safety Leadership and Administration from Arizona State University.