Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown (Photo courtesy of Salt Lake City Police Department)
After more than three decades of service in the department, Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown will be leaving his post Feb. 28 and “intends to retire.”
That’s according to a sudden announcement Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s office issued Wednesday. The news release was short and offered little explanation, other than saying the mayor made the decision.
“Mayor Mendenhall is grateful for Chief Brown’s work over the course of her administration but has determined that it’s time for the next chapter in the SLCPD’s leadership,” the release from City Hall said.
The mayor’s spokesperson confirmed to Utah News Dispatch in a text message “it was the mayor’s decision,” but also said “it is not a termination for cause.”
After listing Brown’s accomplishments as chief — a position that he’s held since 2015 — the statement said, “Neither Mayor Mendenhall nor Chief Brown are available for additional comment at this time.”
Separately, Brown issued a lengthy written letter saying Feb. 28 will mark his “last day of service” to Salt Lake City.
“There is never a perfect time to step away from a career that has defined you, challenged you, and given you a profound sense of purpose,” Brown said. “Policing has never been just a job for me — it has been a calling and a lifelong commitment to public service.”
Brown’s sudden departure comes during an intense time for Salt Lake City government, which is currently under pressure from Utah’s top Republican state leaders to improve “public safety” in Utah’s capital city.
In December, Gov. Spencer Cox, House Speaker Mike Schultz and Senate President Stuart Adams sent Mendenhall a letter demanding she present a plan to “eliminate crime and restore public safety.” They also warned that if “progress stalls,” the 2025 Utah Legislature would be prepared to “increase state involvement and oversight.”
Mendenhall answered their call. Last month, her administration announced a multi-pronged plan, which included immediate action to crack down on drugs, gun offenses and camping. The Salt Lake City Police Department issues nearly daily updates on those efforts, and the city just released an online dashboard tracking progress.
Still, it’s unclear whether Mendenhall’s actions thus far will satisfy lawmakers’ desire to increase oversight of how Salt Lake City leaders police their streets. Lawmakers recently unveiled a bill that, if passed, could force the Salt Lake City Police to formally enter into an agreement with the state Department of Public Safety to tackle illegal homeless encampments and drug dealing — or else risk losing state funds.
Bill would force SLC to partner with state to police camping, drugs — or else risk losing funds
Neither the statement from the mayor’s office, nor Brown’s letter addressed the current political climate looming over law enforcement in Salt Lake City. Rather, they focused on Brown’s contributions to the department.
“Before becoming Chief, Brown had a distinguished career as a patrol officer, gang detective, motor officer, and SWAT officer— being a part of the first generation of SWAT snipers,” the mayor’s office release said. “During his career, he shaped many key policing strategies for the department in crime reduction, traffic safety, and crisis response.”
The mayor’s office also credited Brown with establishing Salt Lake City’s anti-vehicle cruising ordinance and the city’s first-ever POST-certified training satellite academy. He also played a part in security for the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Torch Run.
“Chief Brown most recently led efforts to bring overall crime in Salt Lake City to a 16-year low, while also reducing call for service response times,” the mayor’s office said. “In 2021, Chief Brown successfully spearheaded the stratified policing model to better address violent crime.”
In his statement, Brown said over the years he’s watched “policing evolve at an unprecedented rate.” He also credited “dedicated, selfless and courageous” people in his department for helping lower the city’s overall crime rate to a 16-year low, among other accomplishments.
“I have led through some of the toughest moments law enforcement has ever faced, none more defining than the events of 2020,” Brown wrote, referring to the year of the George Floyd protests.
“That year tested us in ways we never could have anticipated— testing our profession, challenging our resilience, and pushing me personally as a leader,” Brown wrote. “But, through adversity comes growth, and I believe those trials made us a stronger, more accountable, and a more adaptive organization, better prepared to serve our community with integrity and purpose.”
Brown had this message for Salt Lake City police officers: “Never lose sight of your purpose.”
“The work you do is not easy. It is often misunderstood, but it is deeply essential to protecting and preserving our way of life,” Brown continued. “Stay committed to excellence, support one another, and never let the critics or skepticism define your mission. The strength of this department truly lies in its people, its resilience, and its commitment to service.”
To Salt Lake City residents, Brown said “your support has meant everything to me.”
“Your voices, your trust, and your willingness to work alongside me and this police department have been instrumental in shaping the future of public safety,” Brown said. “Your engagement with our police department has brought forward significant changes, making this department better, more responsive, and more connected to the people we serve. I leave knowing this department, this city, and its people are capable, prepared, and committed to what comes next.”
Brown called his time as chief the “greatest honor of my career.”
“Now, it’s time for me to focus on my family—my three boys, who have grown up with this department, from Halloween Fun Fests to parades and community events,” Brown said. “I look forward to spending more time with them, and vacationing, but I will never stop supporting this department, you, and this great city.”
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.