Phoenix Police Chief Garcia fired for insubordination

[brassmonkey]

The Phoenix Police Department's Joe Yahner has been appointed acting police chief.

The firing came minutes after Garcia held a fiery news conference Thursday afternoon asking the city for a two-year contract with no raise. Garcia said he wanted the contract in order to "silence the critics."

City Manager Ed Zuercher said he gave Garcia a direct order not to hold that news briefing.

"Today, the police chief disobeyed a direct order given to him by me through a supervisor, the assistant manager," City Manager Ed Zuercher said.

"As a result, I fired him (Garcia). I asked the chief to work collaboratively and cooperatively and respectfully and to communicate with me and my office. That is the Phoenix way. He did not do that," Zuercher said.

Zuercher said you can't expect police officers to follow orders if the chief cannot do the same and lead by example.

"As city manager I take the safety of this city very seriously," Zuercher said. "I also take this chain of command very seriously."

Zuercher said Garcia has been relieved of his gun and badge and has already cleared out his office.

"I have confidence in the men and women of the Phoenix Police Department and I know they will continue to provide excellent services to the residents of this city," he added.

City leaders were quick to react.

"It's unfortunate and perhaps time for a change given the circumstances," Phoenix Vice-Mayor Jim Waring said.

City Councilman Sal DiCiccio, an outspoken critic of the chief, issued the following statement:

"I have an obligation to speak about issues that affect the safety of our city. I will continue to represent the public and will continue to speak out on issues that impact our citizens. That will not end.

"To be clear, I have repeatedly spoken out about concerns related to the leadership of the Chief and the impact on the safety of our public and to the police officer on our streets. His policies have resulted in a severe drop in morale among our rank and file police officers. That drop in morale has an impact on how our officers do their jobs and how they protect our citizens.

"Yesterday, the City Council held a meeting dealing with police. We heard over two hours of public testimony in which citizens all across Phoenix voiced concerns about law enforcement and community engagement. But neither the Chief nor anyone else in his line of command attend this meeting. One of my fellow council members called his absence "inexcusable."

"Chief Garcia has lost my confidence. The vote amongst officers will likely show that he has lost their confidence, and his failure to appear at yesterday's council meeting can't inspire confidence among our citizens.

"I have a right and a duty to speak about my concerns, especially when these concerns can affect the safety of our officers and the public. I have stated that I believe there should be change in leadership at the Phoenix PD.

"But any personnel decision must be made by the city manager. I have never nor will I ever ask the City Manager to fire him. The only thing I have asked the City Manager to do is look into these serious issues. So while I believe there should be a leadership change that decision is and will remain with the City Manager."

Earlier this month, the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association and the Phoenix Police Sergeants and Lieutenants Association called for a vote of no confidence in the chief.

The unions made the announcement at a joint news conference, citing "the alarming state of morale" in the department.

"I said all along that I would consider all information that I was given," Zuercher said at Thursday's news conference. "This has nothing to do with a vote of no confidence. This is about the chain of command."

Zuercher said up until Thursday, the city didn't have any plans to oust Garcia.

"I had every confidence that we were going to work together," Zuercher said. "We had processes in place to continue working together, to reach out to labor, to work cooperatively and collaboratively the Phoenix way and to make this relationship work and I was fully committed to that and it was my understanding that he was as well."

Garcia was sworn in as chief on May 14, 2012. Prior to joining the Phoenix police ranks, he served 34 years with the Dallas Police Department.

Read more: Phoenix Police Chief Garcia fired for insubordination - CBS 5 - KPHO

[CAHEK]

cool story bro

[MrBottomTooth]

So he makes an effort to keep ballooning police budgets under control and they fire him? I wish he worked around here. The requests and threats of reduced services made by the police around here are sickening, especially considering they already make $90k+ and are basically nothing more than ticket writers.