Newly-hired Mantua police chief was fired from West Jordan PD, had history of misconduct
Town of Mantua, Utah (via Facebook)
Craig Hamer is sworn in as Mantua s new chief of police on Monday, April 26, 2021.
and last updated 2021-05-11 16:42:07-04
WEST JORDAN, Utah â The man chosen to lead the police force of a small town in Box Elder County was fired from his previous job in West Jordan in November, according to records obtained by FOX 13.
Mantua Police Chief Craig Hamer was
Hamer previously worked as an officer for the West Jordan Police Department.
According to department records, however, he has a history of being written up and was ultimately fired in November for multiple violations.
Mantua mayor resigns after firing police chief
The former chief says he was dismissed because he didn’t write enough traffic tickets.
(Photo courtesy of Maddie Phillips) A sign welcomes people to Mantua, as seen on Saturday, April 24, 2021.
| April 26, 2021, 9:33 p.m.
After a whirlwind month in which Mantua’s police chief was fired and five officers quit, the town’s mayor has resigned.
Former Mayor Michael Johnson dismissed former Police Chief Michael Castro on March 25 after Castro refused to sign a notice putting his employment on probation, according to FOX 13.
The probation notice accuses Castro of not answering calls for service or enforcing parking ordinances, but he denies the allegations and told FOX 13 in an interview that he believes he was fired for not writing enough speeding tickets to drivers passing through the Box Elder County town.
‘Money is the root of all evil,’ said Mantua police officer in his resignation letter after the town’s chief was dismissed
Five officers resigned at the end of March.
(Photo via Town of Mantua) The Mantua City Offices. The town of less than a thousand people in Box Elder County lost five police officers over the course of a few days at the end of March following the dismissal of Police Chief Michael Castro.
| April 24, 2021, 9:17 p.m.
Mantua, a town of less than a thousand people in Box Elder County, lost five police officers over the course of a few days at the end of March following the dismissal of Police Chief Michael Castro.
FOX 13 Investigates: Utah police chief says he was fired for not writing enough speeding tickets fox13now.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from fox13now.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The Mantua Police Department is without a police chief after being awarded small-town Police Chief of the Year by the Utah Chiefs of Police Association.
Michael Castro has been terminated as police chief after being asked to resign, and two other part-time officers resigned following Castroâs departure.
Mantua Mayor Michael Johnson responded to request for comment in an email: âAt this time, we have been advised by legal counsel to not issue any more statements regarding this issue. I am certain our attorney will give you the same reply. The only statement available at this time is that the Town of Mantua has terminated the employment of Michael Castro.â