Sandy City Police Capt. Jeff Duval, left, and Deputy Chief Bill O'Neal, right, talk with Sandy City Mayor Kurt Bradburn after Bradburn's swearing-in ceremony at the Hale Centre Theatre in Sandy on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018. Bradburn is being appointed by the mayor as Sandy's next police chief. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
SANDY — The man who’s been serving as interim police chief in Sandy will get to keep the job long term.
Monday, Sandy Mayor Kurt Bradburn announced Deputy Chief William O’Neal beat out four other finalists in a nationwide search to become chief.
In a statement, Bradburn said O’Neal’s 20 years serving Sandy were one factor that make him the “best person” for the job.
“During the interview process, Chief O’Neal stood out for his innovative and forward-thinking ideas,” the statement reads. “He exemplified great leadership and has risen to the challenges placed on him as the interim police chief.”
The Sandy City Council must sign off on O’Neal’s appointment, a move likely to happen when the body meets on Tuesday.
Former Chief Kevin Thacker was fired earlier this year after an internal investigation turned up claims of unwanted hugging of employees, which Thacker apologized for in an e-mail in which he said he is simply “a hugger.”