Phoenix Police Chief Daniel Garcia fired after asking for contract
Dec 18, 2014, 3:57 PM | Updated: 5:58 pm
PHOENIX — Police Chief Daniel Garcia was fired Thursday shortly after requesting a two-year contract from the city to “silence” his critics.
The firing came shortly after Garcia held a press conference to both request the contract and blast police unions.
“My opinion is this is a huge step in the right direction,” Sean Mattson, president of the Phoenix Police Sergeants and Lieutenants Association, said. “I’ve never had a police chief I’ve been so disappointed in.”
Mattson said his sentiments are echoed throughout the department.
“This guy needs to go,” he said. “It’s not just sergeants and lieutenants, we have gotten it from very rank in the Phoenix Police Department except for the chief of police himself and the assistant executive chief.”
Councilman Sal DiCiccio said he had an inkling Garcia’s job was at risk, but wasn’t positive.
“Nobody on the city council knew this was going to happen today,” he said. “I kind of got a tip, as I do. I was not officially told.”
