Investigation finds improper use of city vehicles discredits SPD

The City of Somerton has released the investigation into the misuse of taxpayer dollars by the Somerton Police Department ( SPD ) after police officers were permitted to drive city vehicles out of town for off-duty work.

The investigation found that the decision made under the leadership of former Chief of Police Joseph Turitto ultimately discredited SPD .

“I think it’s safe to say that anyone objectively looking at this would reach the same conclusion as the investigator,” McGaughey said. “This was a clear violation of the public trust.”

The investigation was sparked after city leadership received an anonymous letter detailing the use of the vehicles.

Inside the redacted report released by The City of Somerton , it claimed officers traveled in the city vehicles on at least 19 occasions.

The investigation also detailed that the operational costs connected with the use of the vehicles were ” an unnecessary fiscal impact to the City of Somerton taxpayers. ”

The investigation led former Chief of Police Joseph Turitto to step down.

Turitto admitted to News 11 in April that he did allow SPD officers to take police vehicles to the Phoenix area to perform off-duty work, but said the officers paid for their own gas.

He said low officer pay was why he allowed them to perform off-duty work with the vehicles.