The word “interim” has been dropped from the title of Sandy’s interim police chief — on the recommendation of Mayor Kurt Bradburn, the city council has approved William O’Neal to lead the city’s police department.
The position has been open since former Police Chief Kevin Thacker was fired in April because of what Bradburn called “inappropriate touching” of other city employees. An investigation by an outside law firm determined that, while no laws had been broken, Thacker singled out women with large breasts for long, inappropriate hugs.
In a letter to the Sandy police department, Thacker wrote, “I’m a ‘hugger,’ I always have been. If I offended any of you, I’m sorry, it was never my intent.“
Bradburn chose O’Neal, the deputy chief under Thacker, after a “nationwide search” that resulted in more than 50 applications. According to the city, the applicants were scored; the top 15 were interviewed by a panel, which selected five finalists; the finalists were interviewed by Bradburn.
“Interim Chief William O’Neal has served Sandy City for over 20 years and I am confident he is the best person to lead the Sandy Police Department,” said Bradburn in a prepared statement, adding that O’Neal is “innovative and forward-thinking … and has risen to the challenges placed on him as the interim police chief.”