Phoenix Police Officer Fired - Daniel V. Garcia was fired from his "law and order" duties after failing to follow the orders of his boss, Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher.
According to AZCentral, the Phoenix police officer fired story happened because Garcia defied Zuercher's order that he was forbidden to hold a press conference amid his issues with police unions and other high-profile controversies.
"I gave him an order not to have a press conference, but he directly disobeyed," Zuercher said just a few hours after Garcia held his press conference. "He's a good man, but I'm disappointed in his choices."
Zuercher clarified that he did not fire the Phoenix police officer for his performance, but because of his defiance of his authority.
"I think Chief Garcia has done a good job - all the men and women of the department have done a good job. But let me be clear, this issue is about following orders, about obeying an order from a supervisor," Zuercher said of the fired police officer.
In the news conference he held, Garcia fired back at his critics and defended his actions, Los Angeles Times has learned.
"If I'm to be terminated for upholding the highest policing standards, that will be a first in policing and a disgrace to our city. Our city management needs to decide whether the police department is to be run by the unions or this police chief," Garcia said.
The City Manager reportedly called for a meeting with his council members at around 3:30 p.m., where he first presented the idea of terminating Garcia. Zuercher received positive response from his employers, so it was inevitable that the Phoenix police officer got fired.
"While I have supported Mr. Garcia in his goals of achieving a top-performing police force, I cannot support an employee of any stature not respecting their supervisor," Zuercher noted in his announcement.
Effective immediately after the Phoenix police officer was fired, Executive Assistant Chief Joe Yahner will be serving as acting chief until a permanent replacement fills in the position, reports Yahoo! News.
"His policies have resulted in a severe drop in morale among our rank-and-file police officers," council member Sal DiCiccio said in a statement. "That drop in morale has an impact on how our officers do their jobs and how they protect our citizens."
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