Criminal Defense Attorney Blog: Surprise, Arizona Police Officer Resigns Amid Controversy

Original Article Source: http://www.azcentral.com/community/surprise/articles/2011/08/16/20110816surprise-police-sergeant-under-investigation-resigns-brk.html#ixzz1VFJGWZiW

A former assistant police chief in Surprise who was undergoing a department investigation abruptly resigned Monday. Police officials would not say why Scott Connelly was being investigated…Connelly was demoted to sergeant in January at his request, according to department officials at the time.

A former assistant police chief in Surprise who was undergoing a department investigation abruptly resigned Monday.

Police officials would not say why Scott Connelly was being investigated.

Connelly, who was contacted by The Republic Tuesday, would only say his resignation was for “personal reasons.” He declined to comment on the internal investigation.

“You’ll need to check with them on it,” he said. “I’m not sure what it is they’re going to release.”

Connelly was demoted to sergeant in January at his request, according to department officials at the time.

The Republic requested Connelly’s personnel records after he was demoted.

City Attorney Michael Bailey denied the request saying Arizona law limits the public’s access to official records “when the documents are made confidential by statute, involves the privacy interests of persons, and disclosure would be detrimental to the best interest of the state.”

The Republic filed another request in August, arguing for disclosure. The request is pending.