The Wellington City Council voted on Friday to fire Police Chief Rory Bradley. The termination followed an investigation conducted last month into sexual harassment allegations involving a female city employee.
Bradley had previously been placed on both paid and unpaid administrative leave during the investigation process.
During a Friday night meeting, the council discussed allegations from a female city employee who reported that Bradley sent inappropriate text messages and made inappropriate comments. The allegations also included claims that Bradley put the woman in a headlock and hit her on her butt while on city property.
The council reviewed text messages confirmed to have been sent from Bradley to the employee. One message stated, You know you are freaking smoking hot, you could wear a garbage bag and still be smokin. Really though, I really really like it.
Bradley, who served as chief since 2018 and is also a member of the council alongside his father, defended his actions during the meeting by stating he was joking. While he apologized for the communication with the employee, the council voted for his immediate termination.
Prior to these events, Bradley received recognition from the Utah Department of Public Safety in 2019 for his role in rescuing victims after a semi-truck crashed into a Mexican restaurant.
