Steve Gesell will be Cottonwood’s new police chief starting Jan. 20.
Gesell comes to Cottonwood from San Luis Obispo, Calif., where he previously served as chief of police.
Gesell is no stranger to Arizona, however.
He worked in the Grand Canyon State for years. He attended both Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University.
Twenty of those years here were as a police officer in Scottsdale, where he ended up as a commander.
Gesell was chief of police in San Luis Obispo until May, when he was placed on administrative leave.
The split was because of “fundamental philosophical differences” between Gesell and the California city’s elected leaders and officials.
Gesell worked there as chief three-and-a-half years.
According to Gesell’s application to Cottonwood, he had difficulties with San Luis Obispo’s city manager in part because he wanted to obtain an armored vehicle.
Gesell also stated that the city had attempted to persuade him to keep an officer on staff that Gesell said repeatedly lied.
Gesell also reported that the city had requested that he limit “media releases regarding crimes of public interest.”
Last week the Cottonwood City Council approved a $115,000 salary for Gesell.
“I am well aware of Steve’s qualifications and experience as we worked together in Scottsdale,” Cottonwood City Manager Doug Bartosh said in a statement announcing the hiring. “He brings to Cottonwood a strong set of skills that will benefit our community and further improve the services provided by the police department.
“I was most impressed with his ability to partner with citizens and businesses to resolve challenges that helped to improve the community.”
Bartosh himself was fired as chief from the Scottsdale Police Department on Jan. 21, 2003, by then-City Manager Jan Dolan, according to the East Valley Tribune. Dolan said at the time Bartosh did not communicate well with the department’s employees and the public, and “lacked enthusiasm” to make changes suggested by a firm in an outside audit. Bartosh later sued the city of Scottsdale for $5.5 million in damages, wrongful termination and violation of his right to free speech.
Bartosh served as Cottonwood police chief before being hired as Cottonwood city manager.
Gesell will replace Chief Jody Fanning, who has served on the Cottonwood police force for nearly three decades.
A retirement reception for Fanning will take place from Friday, Jan 22, 2 to 4 p.m., at the Cottonwood Police Department at 199 S. Sixth St.
