Citizen Staff Photographer
Whether the Tucson City Council violated the state Open Meetings Law has yet to be determined.
But even if all of the council’s actions were copacetic, we’re heartened to see that even a hint of potential mischief is enough to spur an investigation by the Pima County Attorney’s Office.
That office is investigating since the council conducted a seven-hour, closed meeting discussion on Tuesday about hiring a new police chief.
In that meeting, the council decided to drop its national search, which had gone on for months, and decided to hire the new chief from within the department.
Under state law, some personnel matters may be discussed behind closed doors. But anything addressed during executive sessions must be kept confidential.
In this instance, Councilwoman Shirley Scott told the Tucson Citizen’s Carli Brosseau on Wednesday that the council had restarted the search because of no “community consensus” on who was the best candidate. Two of the four finalists were Tucson police officials, and two were from out of town.
Whatever the outcome of the probe into the council’s actions, we laud the County Attorney’s Office for investigating. Government business must be transparent, as state law ordains. And any apparent violations must be reviewed.
Our Opinion