Title: Police Officer
Company: Tucson Police Department
Location: Vail, Arizona, United States
William C. Bonanno, Police Officer at Tucson Police Department, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Public Safety.
Mr. Bonanno has built a distinguished career spanning over 25 years with the Tucson Police Department in Tucson, Arizona, where he holds the rank of police officer. Since joining the department in 1998, he has become recognized as an expert in impaired driving enforcement and drug recognition, dedicating nearly two decades to the Impaired Driving Enforcement Unit. As the most senior member of this specialized unit within an agency of roughly 750 to 800 officers, Mr. Bonanno has earned qualifications and certifications in every area related to impaired driving enforcement. His expertise is further demonstrated by his role as the lead instructor and coordinator of the impaired driving enforcement program at the Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Training Center.
In addition to his instructional responsibilities, Mr. Bonanno remains actively engaged in fieldwork, patrolling city streets and focusing on identifying and apprehending impaired drivers. He regularly teaches at the academy in various subject areas, sharing his knowledge with recruits and seasoned officers.
Mr. Bonanno’s commitment to public safety extends beyond traditional law enforcement duties. He has received training in school security and serves as a school safety officer at several local schools during his days off. This role allows Mr. Bonanno to mentor, teach and build meaningful connections with students, a responsibility he holds in high regard.
Mr. Bonanno’s educational journey began after graduating from high school, when he relocated to Tucson and was hired by the city. He completed a rigorous 16-week police academy followed by a 12-week field training program, earning state certification as a police officer through the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board. The police academy provided college credits that contributed to Mr. Bonanno’s further studies at Pima Community College in Tucson, where he completed coursework that supported his professional growth. He also achieved a phlebotomy certification through Pima Community College, a credential that enables him to perform blood draws in the field for impaired driving investigations.
Mr. Bonanno’s professional and civic affiliations include membership in the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Women in 9-1-1 Alliance, the National Emergency Number Association and Special Olympics Arizona. He is also a frequent keynote speaker at Mothers Against Drunk Driving events, where he shares insights from his extensive experience in impaired driving enforcement.
Throughout his tenure, Mr. Bonanno has participated in more than 15,000 DUI investigations, viewing each intervention as a potentially life-saving act. He takes pride in his ability to prevent tragedies from occurring, considering every arrest an opportunity to remove a potential threat from the community. Among his most significant professional experiences was the apprehension of a school shooter in early 2025 while serving as a school safety officer at a pre-kindergarten through sixth-grade school. By intercepting the suspect before any harm could occur, Mr. Bonanno protected many lives and forged lasting bonds with students who continue to express their gratitude.
As a result of his dedication to law enforcement, Mr. Bonanno has received numerous accolades, including multiple Medals of Valor from organizations such as the Arizona School Resource Officers Association, the State of Arizona Superintendent of Schools, the City of Tucson and Off-Duty Management. Among other honors, he was honored as the 2025 Arizona Law Officer of the Year by Mothers Against Drunk Driving and received Dedicated Service Awards from both Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Mr. Bonanno attributes much of his success to strong communication skills developed from early exposure to people of diverse ages and backgrounds. He emphasizes communication as an essential element of effective policing. This approach has allowed him to resolve situations without resorting to physical force. Looking ahead, Mr. Bonanno envisions shifting from active law enforcement toward roles focused on teaching and mentoring youth within schools or training new officers. In the meantime, he remains steadfast in his dedication to public service.
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