This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

PROVO — The city of Provo has named an interim police chief after its previous chief resigned last week amid sexual misconduct allegations.

Capt. Rich Ferguson was named interim Chief of the Provo Police Department, Provo Mayor John Curtis said Monday.

“Provo deserves an interim chief who has the leadership, service history, skills and respect of the department and our community,” Curtis said in a statement. “Appointing Captain Ferguson enables our department and city to move forward quickly.”

A formal announcement took place Monday afternoon at Provo’s City Council chamber. The process of naming a new chief is expected to take about three months.

Ferguson replaces John King, who abruptly resigned last week. Provo Deputy Mayor Corey Norman said that King was asked to resign because of allegations of "sexual misconduct.”

The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office reviewed King's case and declined to file charges due to insufficient evidence. However, Curtis asked for King to resign “immediately.” King became Provo police chief in 2013.

Ferguson was captain over the police department's patrol division. According to his LinkedIn page, Ferguson has been a law enforcer for 24 years. He has also worked in the Provo Police Department's Special Operations Division and the Utah County Major Crimes Task Force. He attended school at Broadview University in Salt Lake City.

Contributing: Pat Reavy

×