Phoenix Police Chief Daniel Garcia was fired Thursday. He was terminated shortly after demanding a two-year contract.
City Manager Ed Zuercher fired Garcia after he held a press conference. Zuercher told Garcia specifically not to hold the media event.
“This issue is about following orders," Zuercher said. "This is about obeying a directive from a supervisor. That’s what is at hand here and that’s what led me to this decision.”
Garcia had been under scrutiny from the public and his own department. The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association was holding a vote of "no confidence" on the chief. Garcia said the vote damaged the department’s reputation.
“It’s time to silence the critics," Garcia said. "It’s time to silence the police unions.”
Garcia said the vote is not a measure of true police work and value. He claimed it was a tactic to get him fired.
“If I’m to be terminated for upholding the highest policing standards that will be a first in a policing and a disgrace to our city," Garcia said. "Our city management needs to decide if whether the police department is to be run by the unions or by the police chief.”
Garica held his press conference at 3 p.m. and by the time the city manager announced he fired the chief at 5 p.m., Garcia had already turned in his gun and badge.
“I gave Chief Garcia my full support and I’m disappointed in his choices," Zuercher said.
Zuercher appointed Executive Assistant Chief Joe Yahner as acting chief. He is a 30-year veteran of the Phoenix Police Department.
