Law enforcement unions call for ouster of Phoenix Police Chief Daniel Garcia

PHOENIX — Unions representing Phoenix police officers will seek a vote of no confidence in Chief Daniel Garcia.

“He is devoid of true leadership skills and has proven to be a tyrant and a bully who manages through threats, fear and intimidation,” said Phoenix Law Enforcement Association President Joe Clure.

The unions allege Garcia has lost credibility with the officers in his charge, especially after one, diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, took his own life in early November.

“Crag Tiger was the final straw that broke the back of confidence and removed what little bit of morale was left on the department,” Sean Mattson, president of the Phoenix Police Sergeants and Lieutenants Association, said. “But don’t get me wrong. This item is merely one of the many actions that this chief has manifested during his disastrous tenure since coming to the Phoenix Police Department.”

Tiger, a 12-year veteran of the force, was diagnosed with PTSD in 2012 after fatally shooting a suspect. He was fired in 2013 after being arrested for driving under the influence.

In a statement, Garcia said the department was saddened by Tiger’s death but would not comment on it until after the funeral out of respect for the family.

The city said it is planning to make changes to the way it handles PTSD cases.

“All of our officers and firefighters do unfortunately get involved in traumatic situations,” said Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. “It has an impact on them, their families and their futures. We want to make sure we are doing a better job moving forward. It’s something both the city manager and I take very seriously.”

The city currently offers clinical support by both phone and face-to-face for police officers at no charge.

City Manager Ed Zuercher said Garcia has a very difficult job.

“I am listening to the issues being raised by the unions regarding Phoenix police leadership and am talking to both sides to get all the facts and listen to all perspectives and will not rush to judgement on such a critical matter,” he said in a statement.

Garcia was hired in March 2012. He was formerly an assistant police chief in Dallas. He has struggled for popularity since his arrival.

One of his most controversial decisions was asking officers to reaffirm their oath of office every January. Clure said there has been a rift between Garcia and officers from the beginning.

“The police chief has failed to make a connection with the rank and file police officers,” he said in 2013.

“He has essentially told them they don’t dress professionally, they needed a uniform change. He has told them, essentially, they don’t know how to do police work, in spite of the fact that we’ve come off of of 40-year-low crime stats. That they are undisciplined, therefore he’s rewriting the discipline police and now this comes out.”

Last year, 93 percent of officers said they were dissatisfied with Garcia.

KTAR’s Martha Maurer, Jim Cross and Sandra Haros contributed to this report.