Camp Verde Town Manager Russ Martin has initiated a second search for a new town marshal after the town’s previous pick, Bloomfield, N.M., police chief Randy Foster, had to turn down the job due to family considerations.
This week, Camp Verde’s Cmdr. Brian Armstrong, who has been serving as acting marshal since previous Marshal Nancy Gardner was placed on administrative leave in October before resigning in March, withdrew his name from consideration. Armstrong was one of three finalists in the last round of the search, along with Foster and Jason Negron of the Whitehall, Penn., police department.
Armstrong is withdrawing due to his place of residence. Section 3-2-4 of the Camp Verde Town Code states that “the Town Marshal shall be a resident of the Town, unless such requirement is waived by the Council.” As a resident of the Village of Oak Creek, Armstrong would require that waiver in order to become marshal full-time without moving.
“He didn’t want to be the excuse for changing policy,” Martin said of his discussions with Armstrong about the withdrawal. Martin described Armstrong’s choice as a “personal decision,” related to family obligations that prevent him from moving to Camp Verde, especially after only moving to the Village of Oak Creek a year ago, and not wanting to force the council to grant him an exception.
“I just didn’t feel like going through the battle,” Armstrong said. “I didn’t think it was fair to ask for a waiver, when other people who applied saw it on the job announcement that you needed to live there.”
“He does not want me or anyone granting him special privileges,” Martin said of Armstrong.
“As a police officer it sounds weird to try to break the law or get around it,” Armstrong said.
Armstrong is expected to continue in his role as Marshal’s Office commander once the town has found a long-term marshal.
“I get to have him working here regardless of which position he’s in, and I think the community benefits as long as he’s here in whatever capacity he fulfills,” Martin said.
“I guess it’s a little disappointing,” Armstrong said. “I’m happy that I’m still the commander here.”
Martin plans to continue the search until the end of the month and make a decision in early August. He said he is optimistic about the town’s prospects of finding a new marshal, and has been happy with the applications the town has received so far.
Jon Hecht can be reached at 634-8551, or email jhecht@larsonnewspapers.com
