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"The city manager upheld the original termination decision. Mr. Geier was notified just within the last 24 hours," a city spokeswoman stated in an email Friday, April 10. "The conclusion of the appeal decision allowed to city to finalize and release all related documents."
The main issues revolve around Chief Jerry Geier and his purported favoritism of female officers when it came to promotions or skirting police policies.
There are at least 12 listed complaints in the document. Several concern whether Mr. Geier showed favoritism in promoting female officers and paving the way for a female city employee and a female police volunteer to obtain jobs with the department. The majority of those allegations were not sustained, according to documents.
In the more serious cases, Mr. Geier allegedly demanded that a criminal investigation into the actions of then Sgt. Allison Braughton not be forwarded to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office or the Arizona POST — which certifies peace officers in the state — despite police policy dictating that Mr. Geier do so. Documents state Ms. Braughton was under investigation for allegedly driving while impaired and being involved in a hit and run of a light pole. This allegation was sustained, per the report.
Also, the allegation that Mr. Geier denied knowing about the department's Neighborhood Enforcement Team being used to search for the wife of Deputy Chief Justin Hughes was sustained. However, the findings showed that Mr. Geier was authorized to send the NET to search for her.
Mr. Geier was one of four officials put on temporary leave in October while the city investigated allegations of misconduct, which the city at the time said was not criminal or financial in nature. Officer Kyle Cluff has since resigned, civilian employee Susan Petty was demoted, and Deputy Chief Justin Hughes remains on personal leave. His investigative reports remain unavailable.
Mr. Geier was terminated from his position in December, but he had been appealing the firing, pushing the date of the release of his documents. However, his termination was upheld by City Manager Julie Arendall, according to a document signed April 9, 2020.
Mr. Geier had been the chief of the Goodyear Police Department since 2012, coming from the head spot in Yuma.
Santiago "Jimmy" Rodriguez is the current interim chief of police in Goodyear.
More will be added to this report in the following days.
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