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SALT LAKE CITY — Mayor Jackie Biskupski announced Tuesday that she has decided to permanently appoint Mike Brown as Salt Lake City's police chief.
Brown had been serving as interim police chief since June 2015, when former Chief Chris Burbank was forced to resign by former Mayor Ralph Becker amid a then-pending sexual harassment lawsuit by three female officers.
"I have worked closely with Chief Brown and am encouraged by his willingness to make the necessary changes to keep our city’s police force well trained while also strengthening ties with the community and improving transparency,” Biskupski said in a prepared statement.
Biskupski said Brown had already begun implementing changes during her transition to office, including her "call to work more closely with law enforcement agencies across the county" and the Drug Enforcement Agency to battle drug trafficking in Salt Lake City.
"This is a dream come true," Brown said in a statement. "I love this community and the officers who work to keep Salt Lake City safe on a daily basis. We all have the same goal of a police department that serves with respect and integrity. I am confident I can lead this force to meet the expectations of Mayor Biskupski and the people of Salt Lake City.”
Previously, Brown's positions within the Salt Lake Police Department included commander of the Special Operations Bureau, where he oversaw SWAT, Safe Streets Gang FBI Task Force, DEA Metropolitan Narcotic Task Force, Organized Crime Unit, Hazardous Device Unit, Motorcycle Squad, Public Order Unit and Accident Investigation.
Brown is one of four new department directors Biskupski has appointed since her transition into office.
Two director positions remain vacant after six directors either resigned or were terminated following Biskupski's election: public services and information management services. Searches to fill those positions are ongoing, according to city officials.
The mayor is still in the process of selecting two directors to head two new departments she plans to create, for economic development and sustainability. Tuesday, however, she announced she is in the "final stages" of selecting a director for the new economic development department, after she launched a nationwide search for the economic leader earlier this year.
Biskupski also announced Tuesday that she plans to retain several city leaders, including Robin Hutcheson, director of transportation; Mike Akerlow, director of housing and neighborhood development; Jeff Snelling, city engineer; Cindi Mansell, city recorder; Orion Goff, building official; and Bryan Hemsley, chief procurement officer.
“Over the course of the last few months I have had the opportunity to engage in conversation and work closely with each of these individuals,” Biskupski said. “These are dedicated public servants who are committed to building a city for everyone."
The mayor has also reappointed individuals to a variety of other positions, including senior appointed attorneys, deputy department directors and managers in multiple departments, the news release stated. The mayor expects all positions of other appointed individuals to be finalized in June.
Contributing: Andrew Adams
