Detective Gregory McKay hired as Chief of new Arizona Office of Child Welfare Investigations

PHOENIX - The Department of Economic Security recently announced that their new Office of Child Welfare Investigations Chief Detective Gregory McKay will help Arizona's children with more than two decades of experience.

McKay worked for 17 years with the City of Phoenix Police Department and has experience as a homicide detective and investigator of crimes involving children, according to a news release.

"Greg's diligence to find justice for children is what made him the right person for this job," said Director Clarence Carter in the news release. "He exemplifies DES' commitment to child safety and brings with him the tools and connections needed to bring together the social work aspect of protecting children with the law enforcement side."

McKay will reportedly oversee almost 30 staff members and the office will coordinate with law enforcement officials throughout Arizona regarding severe child abuse and neglect cases.

Creating the Office of Child Welfare Investigations was a recommendation of Governor Jan Brewer's Child Safety Task Force.

"I am eager to take on this new endeavor because as a long-time law enforcement officer, I have a passion for helping people, especially children," said McKay in a news release. "The responsibility for keeping children safe doesn't fall just on DES or simply law enforcement.  When we work together, we are more effective at not just making sure our children are safe, but also ensuring that those who harm children are held accountable."