Accused of Improper Sex Act, Azusa Chief Quits

The Azusa police chief resigned this week after a city investigation found that he had committed a sexual act with a female employee at a recent hot tub party, sources said.

“It was inappropriate sexual conduct,” one source said.

Chief John Broderick, 47, is a 23-year veteran of the department who headed the force for four years. He was not available for comment Tuesday.

The investigation into his behavior at the off-duty party in Azusa began Thursday, a day after City Manager Rick Cole received a complaint about it. Cole hired a Los Angeles private investigation firm, but Broderick came forward and took full responsibility for what had occurred, Cole said.

Four other police personnel will be appropriately disciplined, Cole said, but he declined to comment on the nature of the allegations or the investigation, which was completed Tuesday.

“No laws were broken, but some individuals failed to uphold the high standards of the Azusa Police Department,” Cole said.

The chief’s resignation shocked city leaders and neighboring police officials, who said Broderick has an exemplary record of public service dating back to his stint in the Marines. Broderick is married to a police lieutenant in Glendora and has children from an earlier marriage, Cole said.

“It’s just heartbreaking,” said Mayor Christina Cruz Madrid. “He was such a wonderful, wonderful man.”

Madrid said Broderick is a Vietnam veteran who brought the Police Department cutting-edge technology and devoted his life to public service. He regularly ate lunch with school principals to understand their law enforcement concerns and hosted visitors from Azusa’s sister city in Mexico at his home.

City Councilman Dick Stanford said Broderick’s integrity is reflected in his willingness to admit misconduct and step down.

“I admire that he did the right thing. He said: ‘I messed up, and I’m going to take the punishment. I’m not going to sidestep it,’ ” Stanford said. “It’s just such a terrible shame because he had such a legacy and was so highly respected in the community.” Stanford added that the chief’s behavior was a “serious lapse of judgment off-duty.”

A source familiar with the investigation said Broderick behaved sexually with a subordinate at a small, provocative gathering of off-duty officers and police staff. Because of his leadership role in the community, the chief “thought it was appropriate to resign,” the source said.

Broderick, who is paid $121,000 a year, will be on inactive leave for about a year, while he uses up his compensatory and vacation time. As part of his resignation, he agreed that he will never work for the city again but will start receiving retirement benefits on his 50th birthday, Cole said.

Capt. Robert Garcia is acting police chief.

“I hope John will be remembered for his work to build a new police facility . . . for his long history of volunteer service to the community and, above all, his leadership in reducing violent crime in Azusa by more than 40% over the last five years,” Cole said.

Glendora Police Chief Paul Butler said Broderick was a respectable and forward-looking administrator.

“It was a shock to see him step down so quickly,” he said.