Nicole Upshaw

About Nicole Upshaw

Officer Nicole Upshaw is a nine-year police officer with the Chandler Police Department and a founding member of the department’s Behavioral Health Unit which responds to mental health related calls with a focus on de-escalation, maintaining dignity, and connecting individuals to appropriate treatment services. A Grand Canyon University graduate with degrees in Justice Studies and Psychology, she advocates for prioritizing education in crisis recognition and communication strategies within police tactics to better serve people with disabilities and those experiencing behavioral health challenges. She is an Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST) Use of Force Instructor who integrates crisis intervention principles into defensive tactics training to promote safer outcomes for community members in crisis. She also serves as a Field Training Officer, is a former Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Crisis Negotiator, and is a Rape and Aggression Defense (RAD) Instructor for civilians.