Farmington City Council asks longtime police chief to step down

The Farmington City Council has asked longtime Police Chief Brian Lindquist to step down due to what the mayor and the chief called personality conflicts, though the nature of the conflicts isn't clear.

Mayor Todd Larson said Lindquist didn't choose to leave but wasn't fired. He said a separation agreement will formalize the departure.

"It's unfortunate. I mean, I'm bummed out about this," Larson said.

Lindquist, whose last day will be Aug. 24, said he was surprised at being asked to step down. He was told the majority of the council wanted to go in a different direction, he said.

"I thought I was doing a good job. I think the citizens thought I was doing a good job," Lindquist said. "Twelve years as chief, no discipline, no troubles, safe community … I don't know, what else can you do?"

Lindquist has been with Farmington's police department for 20 years and served as chief for 12 years.

The City Council will vote Monday on whether to approve the agreement, which includes the sum of $125,770 to be paid to Lindquist in installments. Larson added that he believes it will be approved.

Larson said the decision to ask Lindquist to step down wasn't unanimous, and he doesn't know exactly why it occurred.

Larson said he didn't know of any complaints filed against the chief: "I've worked with him for 10 years and I have nothing but positive things to say."

The city will hire an interim chief and then begin searching for a new top cop, Larson said.

Lindquist said that not going to work every day in Farmington will be hard because the job has been such a large part of his life. He doesn't have any concrete future plans for employment, he said.

"It's been sort of a whirlwind," Lindquist said. "I don't know if I quite understand it yet."