Larry Esquivel has withdrawn his name for consideration for the position of police chief. The remaining finalists will interview with the 15-member City Police Chief Appointment Advisory Committee at a public meeting on Oct. 29 in the Mayor and Council Chambers at City Hall, 255 W. Alameda.
Esquivel announced his retirement from the San Jose Police Department in July of this year. According to the San Jose Mercury News, since Esquivel’s appointment as interim chief in early 2013 and as permanent chief by that year’s end, the department has been beset by a dramatic exodus of officers who retired early or left for other law-enforcement agencies amid a bitter struggle between the city and San Jose Police Officers’ Association over pay, pension and disability benefits.”
The three finalists are: (click on name to see resume)
- Malik Aziz, 23 years Dallas TX, Police Department
- Rick Gregory, 31 years Law Enforcement primarily Florida
- Christopher Magnus, 37 Years Law enforcement
Tucson Police Chief Roberto Villaseñor is scheduled to retire in December, after 35 years with the Tucson Police Department.
Aziz was a finalist for the San Antonio chief spot along with Tucson Police Chief Robert Villaseñor. Both were passed up for the job.
According to The Dallas Morning News, Aziz is the chairman of the National Black Police Association, and “he is popular with the police associations. Dallas Police Association leaders have been complimentary of him. The vice president of the Black Police Association of Greater Dallas recently asked Chief David Brown in a letter to promote Aziz to assistant chief. And National Latino Law Enforcement Organization’s Dallas Director George Aranda said he sees Aziz as an up-and-coming leader.”
Gregory is currently the Vice President of Institute for Intergovernmental Research in Tallahasee, Florida. He resigned as the Provo Police Department in 2013. According to the Herald, “Gregory began his service career as a firefighter, then he became a member of the Florida Highway Patrol and worked up the ranks to lieutenant colonel and second in command in the state. He also served as the director of public safety for the county of New Castle, Del., as well as chief operating officer.” When he resigned he said he was leaving to return to Ohio.
According to the Contra Costa Times, “Police Chief Chris Magnus, who has drawn acclaim for his community-policing approach and helping drive down both crime and use of force by his officers in recent years, was front and center, facing the street while holding a white sign that said “#blacklivesmatter.” The photo quickly went viral on social media, the image of the uniformed chief with the popular hashtag a stark contrast to the anti-police sentiment many associate with it.” In April 2015, Magnus was sued for wrongful termination by an officer who claimed “that he was discriminated against after he reported to his supervisor that Magnus allegedly made sexual advances towards him. According to the lawsuit, the officer was assigned to a surveillance and protection detail outside of the private residence of Magnus and his husband after Magnus received threats from the community.”
POLICE CHIEF APPOINTMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING NOTICE
Thursday, October 29, 2015 8:00 am
Mayor and Council Chambers City Hall,
255 W. Alameda Tucson, AZ 85701
AGENDA Revised
1. 8:00 am Call to Order/Roll Call.
2. The following are the interview times:
- 8:30 am – 10:00 am – Rick Gregory
- 10:00 am – 11:30 pm – Christopher Magnus
- 11:30 pm – 1:00 pm – Malik Aziz
• 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – LUNCH
• 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm – Larry Esquivel Withdraws from Consideration
3. 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Discussion and recommendation Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter, by contacting the City Manager’s Office at (520)791-4204 or (520)791-2639 (TDD).
Request should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. , due to the withdrawal of candidate Larry Esquivel.