The candidate that Tucson’s cops wanted,Malik Aziz, of the Dallas Police Department, dropped out after it became clear that Tucson;sleadership would not be choosing him for the Chief of Police spot, favoring instead the controversial Richmond, California Police Chief Christopher Magnus.
The appointment of Magnus will be made final if approved by Mayor and City Council at tomorrow’s Regular Meeting.
The City contracted with the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) to conduct the search and assist with the three-part hiring process.
Three finalists were interviewed by a citizen committee at a public meeting. Separate interviews were held with the Tucson Police Officers Association (TPOA) and Tucson Police Department command, as well as the City’s executive leadership team.
Tucson Police Chief Roberto Villaseñor is scheduled to retire in December, after 35 years with the Tucson Police Department.
The Police Chief Appointment Advisory Committee interviewed the finalists and was not unanimous in the choice, and some members expressed a desire to have had local choices from which to choose.
Magnus, who is currently chief in Richmond, CA, assured tha panel that Richmond, like Tucson is a sanctuary city.
According to the Contra Costa Times, “Police Chief Chris Magnus, who has drawn acclaim for his community-policing approach and helping drive down both crime and use of force by his officers in recent years, was front and center, facing the street while holding a white sign that said “#blacklivesmatter.” The photo quickly went viral on social media, the image of the uniformed chief with the popular hashtag a stark contrast to the anti-police sentiment many associate with it.” In April 2015, Magnus was sued for wrongful termination by an officer who claimed “that he was discriminated against after he reported to his supervisor that Magnus allegedly made sexual advances towards him. According to the lawsuit, the officer was assigned to a surveillance and protection detail outside of the private residence of Magnus and his husband after Magnus received threats from the community.”