“The chief disobeyed a direct order when he held his news conference today,” City Manager Zuercher said. “We can not expect our officers to follow orders when our chief fails to lead by example.”
According to witnesses, during this press conference, Garcia blasted the police unions, Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio and civilian review boards.
The city manager has asked Executive Assistant Chief Joe Yahner to serve as acting chief, effective immediately. Chief Yahner will serve as chief until a permanent replacement is hired.
The City Manager fired the police chief for insubordination after the Chief held a press conference he was directly ordered not to hold. During this press conference, he lashed out at the police unions, civilian review boards, and me. I fully support the city Manager’s decision and look forward to the search for a new police chief who commands the respect of both the officers and the public.
DiCiccio has been critical of the chief and called for him to be fired in November after the suicide of fired Phoenix police Officer Craig Tiger.
According to the Arizona Republic, DiCiccio called comments by Garcia about Tiger “disgusting.”
“Officer Tiger was a hero who died protecting (Phoenix) citizens, but called a criminal by (the) Chief,” DiCiccio wrote on his Facebook page according to the Republic.
DiCiccio told the Republic, “I just think that this administration has created nothing but havoc in that department. This is just one example. I just think it’s time for the city of Phoenix to be looking for someone else.”
At the time, Zuercher defended Garcia saying that the city had an “outstanding police department.”
Joe Clure, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, told the Republic, “there is clearly a leadership crisis in the Phoenix Police Department.”
DiCiccio, a very popular council member, who won his last election despite tremendous union opposition due to his work to stop pension spiking, issued a statement after Garcia’s firing:
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.