2 SLPD officials resign amid DPS probe
Lieutenant and administrator quit for undisclosed reasons
SAN LUIS, Ariz. — Two high-ranking members of the San Luis Police Department have resigned from their posts for undisclosed reasons.
Police Lt. Victor Figueroa, who oversaw the police department’s patrol division, and Andrea Moreno, police administrator, submitted their resignations on Thursday, City Administrator Tadeo De La Hoya said.
“The reasons (for their resignations) are personal, and only they can discuss them,” he said. “The chief of police and I together will look at what will be done to fill those posts.”
Their resignations come amid an investigation by the Arizona Department of Public Security into reported criminal conduct or improper evidence handling procedures in the department’s evidence room.
Acting Police Chief Richard Jessup previously said two police employees were placed on administrative leave during the course of the DPS investigation.
De La Hoya said that because the investigation remains open, he could not identify the employees placed on leave, or whether the investigation relates to Figueroa or Moreno.
Moreno, whose resignation takes effect Tuesday, has served more than four years as police administra-
tor. Her duties have included overseeing the evidence room, managing the department’s budget and finances, and applying for grants for the department.
Figueroa, whose resignation was effective last Friday, joined the police department in 2002, Besides heading the patrol department, he has served on various occasions as acting police chief.
Figueroa was one of two lieutenants who shared duties as second-in-command of the department. The other lieutenant is Miguel Alvarez.
In 2016, the city paid $10,000 to settle a sexual harassment claim that a former San Luis police officer filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. City officials said at the time the settlement was paid to forestall a lawsuit and was not an admission of guilt by Figueroa.
Moreno and Figueroa declined to comment.
De La Hoya declined comment of the performance of either. “There is no reason for concern on my part concerning their work,” he said. “The mission of the department, which is providing security and protection to the community, has always been fulfilled.”
De La Hoya said he and Jessup will look at options for filling the two vacancies, including naming replacements from within the department. The lieutenant position can be filled only by a police officer certified by the state, although the police administrator does not have to be a certified officer.