Western Arizona police chief fired for second time
Oct 25, 2013, 2:43 PM | Updated: 3:06 pm
QUARTZSITE, Ariz. — The police chief in a desert town by the Arizona-California border has been fired a second time.
Jeff Gilbert was booted from his post this week by
the Quartzsite Town Council. He told the Arizona Republic that his removal was set into motion to cover up an
his investigation into council members whom he had accused of releasing confidential police documents.
In September 2012, Gilbert was fired while vacationing via certified letter. Instead, the assistant town manager, who sent the letter without council approval, lost his job and Gilbert returned.
The newspaper reported Gilbert will receive about $116,000 in remaining
pay and benefits provided in his employment contract.
Town Manager Laura Bruno said the Arizona Department of Public Safety is being
asked to supply an acting chief of police during the search for Gilbert’s
successor.
Quartzsite Mayor Ed Foster said he’d prefer to disband the police force and let
the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office handle the town’s law enforcement.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
