Salt Lake City to Review Employee Standards Over Kickbacks Allegations

Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker’s Deputy Communication Director Art Raymond said that the disclosure that Salt Lake City, Utah Police Department Chef Chris Burbank received material benefits from a body cameras producer Taser has triggered a government review of existing standards of conduct for city employees.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The disclosure that Salt Lake City, Utah Police Department Chef Chris Burbank received material benefits from a body cameras producer Taser has triggered a government review of existing standards of conduct for city employees, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker’s Deputy Communication Director Art Raymond told Sputnik.

“The issue is brought to light by media coverage, but we are also aware of public response to the questions raised,” Raymond said on Thursday.

“It is our obligation to our residents to make sure that the rules we have in place are doing what they should be doing,” he added.

Raymond explained that the Mayor’s office has asked the Salt Lake City human resources officials and the Attorney’s Office to evaluate the rules that guide city employee conduct, and particularly how employees manage relations with companies.

The review is conducted “to see if we have the right rules in place, and evaluate whether or not now is the appropriate time to potentially change or enhance those rules,” Raymond said.

A recent report by The Associated Press showed that Taser International covered airfare and hotel stays for US police chiefs who speak at the company’s promotional conferences.

Salt Lake City officials and rival corporations raised concerns about police chiefs' ties with Taser in Fort Worth, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and in Salt Lake City, the report said.