Lieutenant Laurel Burgett has spent 24 years moving up through the ranks of the Phoenix Police Department. She began her career as a Patrol Officer in 1987. Six years later, she became a Recruit Training Officer with the Training Bureau. In 1994, Burgett transferred to the Drug Enforcement Bureau to become a Detective, and spent four years as an undercover narcotics investigator. In 1998, Burgett was promoted to Sergeant and took charge of a patrol squad of seven officers at the Squaw Peak Precinct. One year later, she returned to the Training Bureau, this time as a Basic Training Sergeant, before becoming a Proficiency Skills Supervisor.

From 2001 until 2006, Laurel Burgett acted as a Public Information Officer with the Public Affairs Bureau. Her duties included serving as the liaison between the department and media outlets on the local, national, and international levels. Burgett then spent a year with the Violent Crimes Bureau before being promoted to Lieutenant in charge of the Central City and Desert Horizon Precincts. In 2007, Burgett returned to the Violent Crimes Bureau, this time as an Assaults Unit Commander. This role put her in charge of numerous investigations involving assault, threats, stalking, attempted homicide, misconduct involving weapons, and a host of other offenses. During this time, she was also working as a Robbery Unit Commander. Laurel Burgett currently works with the Drug Enforcement Bureau, as well as the Home Invasions and Kidnapping Enforcement (HIKE) unit. Her tasks involve the investigation of human trafficking and drug smuggling cases.

Laurel Burgett has earned numerous commendations from the Phoenix Police Department and the Mayor of the City of Phoenix. She also has obtained certification in impact weapons instruction, defensive tactics, and physical fitness instruction. Burgett shares her expertise through a variety of presentations to the department, and articles in publications such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s Police Chief magazine, and the Rocky Mountain Information Network Magazine. She also serves as an Adjunct Faculty Member for Rio Salado College, and previously for Phoenix College and Maricopa Community Colleges.