Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski has named Mike Brown as the city’s permanent Chief of Police. Brown has served as interim police chief since June.
Biskupski said in a statement she’s encouraged by Brown’s willingness to make the necessary changes to keep the city’s police force well trained while also strengthening ties with the community and improving transparency.
Brown says the mayor is a collaborator, who wants to address the root of problems like homelessness.
“I think that’s where we align very much,” Brown says. “Rather than just put a Band-Aid on it or doing the same thing over and over and over and expecting different results, let’s see if we can change things.”
Brown has served in the department for 25 years. Most recently as commander for the Special Operations Bureau, overseeing SWAT, Safe Streets Gang FBI Task Force and DEA Metropolitan Narcotic Task Force among other special units.
Brown says he’s already made some changes as interim police chief like addressing the department’s ongoing shortage of patrol officers.
“And so another big thing we’ve done, and I’ve talked to Mayor Biskupski about is, we have started a continual hiring process,” Brown says. “So we don’t let those numbers get to such a severe level.”
Brown was named interim police chief last summer when then Police Chief Chris Burbank resigned over allegations he mishandled sexual assault cases in the department.
The Salt Lake City Council must confirm Brown’s appointment.
