The office of Sandy Mayor Kurt Bradburn released new details about the firing of former police chief Kevin Thacker. The investigation outlines unwelcome physical contact with female employees over a period of years.
The report from law firm Ray Quinney and Nebeker details a variety of complaints from female employees who worked with Thacker. The included extended frontal hugs, veiled comments about employees breasts, touching female employee’s thighs and rubbing their necks. Female employees reported changing their behavior to avoid the chief.
Still, the report said there was no evidence of overtly sexual contact or that Thacker had committed sexual assault. And there were no formal complaints that led to the investigation.
Thacker denied any wrongdoing and said his contact was not sexual in manner. He had been employed with the department for around 35 years. He became chief in 2014.
Mayor Bradburn also released a statement. In it he said as mayor he’s responsible for creating an environment where 'employees do not feel they must subject themselves to unwelcome physical contact in order to retain their employment'.
As an appointed position Thacker doesn’t have an appeals process. The Sandy Police Department will conduct a national search for a replacement.
Report of Investigation %28redacted%29 (1) by KUER News on Scribd