Somerton police chief resigns

The City of Somerton has confirmed its police chief resigned Thursday.

Former Chief Joseph Turitto’s resignation comes at the same time the city confirmed Somerton Police Department (SPD) is under investigation for the misuse of taxpayer dollars.

” A couple of weeks ago, I received an anonymous email alleging that police vehicles were being used improperly for the use of transportation to the Phoenix area for off-duty security work, ” said Ian McGaughey , Somerton City Manager.

McGaughey explained he took the allegation seriously and enlisted the help of the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Office of the Inspector General Professional Standards Unit to conduct an investigation.

The city manager added the City of Somerton is about transparency.

” Those results, maybe not every detail of the investigation, but certainly the result of those reviews will be made available to the public, ” said McGaughey .

Turitto was appointed to the position in December after h e served as the interim chief of police after the chief who served previously was let go in May.

Lieutenant Araceli Juarez will be leading SPD until an interim chief is announced next week, according to McGaughey .