Multiple Complaints Received Against Lieutenant Arnson

AZ

Buckeye Police Lieutenant Derek Arnson, favored by some Town Council members as the next police chief is on paid leave after the town received "multiple complaints" against him, documents show.

Lt. Arnson was notified June 5 of a formal investigation into complaints of intimidation and inappropriate comments.

The notice of investigation indicates the probe is exploring "multiple complaints of ongoing intimidation of employees coupled with threats of job loss; intimidation regarding hiring practices; inappropriate comments regarding an employee's sexual orientation, and inappropriate comments regarding employee employment status."

The document is a preliminary form to notify employees of an investigation. Details of the allegations were unavailable.

Arnson's attorney, Edmundo Robaina, said he was unable to comment because Arnson is prohibited from discussing the investigation.

Former mayoral candidate Michael Todd said Buckeye Vice Mayor Elaine May and Councilman David Hardesty advocated for Arnson to be picked as chief during talks around the time of the town's March 11 council primary.

May ran as an unopposed incumbent. Hardesty was not up for re-election.

"Arnson had two council members lobbying for him, telling me, 'We want this guy,' " Todd said, referring to May and Hardesty.

Arnson's promotion to commander "was a push by two council members to make Arnson chief," Todd added.

Arnson rose to the rank of sergeant during his 16-year tenure with the Arizona Department of Public Safety. He served last year as operational supervisor for DPS' Gang and Intelligence Team Enforcement Mission, the state gang task force, which received a 2007 Director's Unit Citation.

Arnson joined Buckeye as a lieutenant in December under then-Police Chief Dan Saban and briefly served as an acting commander under Assistant Town Manager Scott Rounds. Rounds later reassigned Arnson to lieutenant when he named Mark Mann interim chief.

Arnson has confirmed he applied for chief after Saban decided to retire to run for Maricopa County sheriff. A list of four finalists released last week did not include him or any other internal candidates.

"You don't go that low and pull people up and then bump them back down," Todd said. "It's part of a good ol' boy deal. I can't believe we would have council members so blind to say, 'This is the guy we need,' without ever seeing what's out there. I was a little troubled by that."

Because he was the subject of an active inquiry, May said she would decline to talk about claims that she favored Arnson. Buckeye Human Resources Director Nancy Love expects Arnson's investigation to be completed this week.

Todd lost his mayoral bid to Jackie Meck by 49 votes in the May 20 general election and remains closely involved in town politics.