Mapleton mum on firing of chief

MAPLETON — Mapleton leaders won't publicly discuss what led to the dismissal of Police Chief Mike Roberts.

The city denied a request by the Deseret Morning News to review any and all documents related to Roberts' termination. The request was denied — because no such records exist, said City Administrator Bob Bradshaw.

"There was no documentation, no reports, no investigation," he said. "This is a new City Council with new priorities and new direction."

David Reymann, a Salt Lake City attorney who often counsels media organizations on open-government and open-government legal issues, finds it "extremely surprising" that a council would dismiss a police chief without a performance probe.

Bradshaw said the termination was discussed in a closed-door session. No records were kept, he said.

Mayor Dean Allen signed an affidavit — required by state law — that the sole purpose of the closed-to-the-public meeting that resulted in Roberts' termination was to discuss professional competency, Bradshaw said.

By signing the affidavit, no minutes have to be kept, Reymann said.