Petition calls for Gilbert police chief's removal after teen's death

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 01:02 · Archive

A petition with over 1,000 signatures calls for Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg's removal, nearly three years after 16-year-old Preston Lord was killed outside a Halloween house party. Soelberg was appointed interim town manager earlier this year, prompting fresh criticism from Preston Lord's grandfather, Tony Reich, who says rewarding Soelberg with a higher position is inappropriate.

Reich has called for investigations into the Gilbert Police Department, the town manager at the time of Preston's death, Patrick Bangor, and the Gilbert Town Council. He alleges the police department failed to respond adequately to repeated attacks by a group known as the Gilbert Goons, and believes proper arrests and charges could have prevented Preston's death.

Reich questioned whether Soelberg had been transparent during the investigation, saying 'transparent, not at all'. The petition alleges failures in the department's response to the teen attacks. The town is currently recruiting for a permanent town manager replacement, with applications closing this month.

How it is being reported

• Petition calls for removal of Gilbert police chief nearly 3 year’s after teen’s deathCriticism of Gilbert police leadership is resurfacing nearly three years after Preston Lord was killed outside a Halloween house party.KOLD · 27 Oct, 00:25
• Petition calls for removal of Gilbert police chief nearly 3 year’s after teen’s deathCriticism of Gilbert police leadership is resurfacing nearly three years after Preston Lord was killed outside a Halloween house party.Azfamily · 27 Oct, 00:25

In this story: Preston Lord · Michael Soelberg · Tony Reich · Gilbert · Gilbert Police Department · Gilbert Goons

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