Glendale chief who led police during Taser incident rehired by city

PHOENIX — The Glendale police chief who was leading the department when a controversial Taser incident gained national attention has been rehired as an interim deputy city manager.

The city announced Wednesday that Rick St. John will now head its public safety efforts.

According to ABC15, St. John will receive a $192,000 salary and continue to collect his pension.

The TV station said the City Council voted Tuesday to approve the contract with an outside company and did not list St John’s name in the agenda or attached documents.

“The item on last night’s agenda was approval of a Professional Services Agreement Schedule with Interim Public Management to provide personnel for the deputy city manager-public safety position,” a Glendale spokesman told KTAR News 92.3 FM in a statement Wednesday.

“It was not an item to approve the hiring of Rick St. John. This is why his name was not on the agenda.”

St. John said in a city press release that he is “excited for this opportunity to continue to lead our public safety divisions that collectively represent the best men and women in the nation.”

He became police chief in 2016 and retired earlier this year after 23 years on the force.

Johnny Wheatcroft and his family filed a claim last year against the city and three officers after he was handcuffed and shocked with a Taser 11 times during a July 2017 incident.

The release of the body cam video earlier this year led the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office to ask the FBI to review the incident.

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