In 1977, he graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science degree, and earned his Master's degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix in 1991. Chief Hurtt is also a graduate of the Valley Leadership Program, Class III.

Harold Hurtt is long time law enforcement professional with 30-plus years of experience, and a significant record of accomplishments in the areas of community policing, department operations, policy development, community relations, personnel management, strategic planning, and the budget process. Chief Hurtt leads a department with 3,700 employees and a $270 million budget.

Aside from his busy schedule as police chief, Harold Hurtt is a member of professional and community organizations such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and the Police Executive Research Forum. He is also a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and a Senior Fellow - University of California Los Angeles School of Public Policy and Social Research. Chief Hurtt also serves on the Rio Salado College President's Advisory Council, and the board of directors for the Major Cities Chief's, Valley of the Sun YMCA, Phoenix Boys Choir, and Mercy Health Care West, to name a few.

The Chief occasionally does have a few minutes to spare that he tries to spend with his family. But, his one true spare-time passion is his love of golf, which he doesn't get to do as often as he would like.