Salt Lake Police Chief Brian Redd makes significant changes in department leadership

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department is changing up its leadership by hiring three new people to help lead Utah’s largest police force. 

On Thursday, SLCPD Chief Brian Redd sent an email to the department announcing that Deputy Chief Victor Siebeneck, Deputy Chief Andrew Wright, and Communications Administrative Director Brent Weisberg will be, “departing their roles in the department.”

“Their contributions have been significant, and we wish them the very best in their future endeavors,” Redd said in the email.

Siebeneck and Wright were appointed by former SLCPD Chief Mike Brown in 2023 as deputy chiefs. Weisberg assumed his role as communications director in 2021.

To replace them, Redd appointed three people outside of the SLCPD: Alex Garcia, Brandon Christiansen, and Glen Mills.

According to the email, Garcia and Christiansen will serve as the new deputy chiefs for the department, with Mills assuming the role of communications director.

Garcia has served as the Adult Probation and Parole Chief for the Utah Department of Corrections since 2023 and has been a law enforcement professional for over 20 years.

“His broad experience and proven leadership make him a strong asset to our department,” Redd said of Garcia in the email.

Christiansen is transitioning from being a deputy chief for the West Valley City Police Department. He has over a decade of experience working with law enforcement.

“His municipal policing background and focus on providing lasting community-based solutions will help drive our continued efforts to serve Salt Lake City with integrity and responsiveness,” Redd said of Christiansen.

Mills also has extensive experience in his role, having previously served as an anchor and chief political correspondent at ABC4 Utah. He is currently the director of communications with the Department of Corrections.

“His relationship-based approach and public relations experience will enhance our professionalism and organizational administration,” Redd said of Mills.

Along with these three new hires, Lt. Bill Manzanares with the SLCPD was promoted to a deputy chief.

According to Redd, Manzanares has been with the department for over 18 years and has served in various capacities, including as a SWAT team leader, narcotics sergeant, and patrol division commander.

Manzanares began serving as deputy chief as of Thursday, July 3. The other three new hires will transition into the SLCPD by the end of July or beginning of August, according to the email.

“These individuals bring exceptional leadership, experience, and a fresh perspective to our department,” Redd said in the email. “I’m confident their contributions will strengthen our ability to serve and support both our personnel and the community.”

This change comes after Redd was sworn in as the SLCPD police chief in March, following several top lawmakers’ expressions of dissatisfaction with the department’s handling of public safety.

In February, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall forced Brown to step down after nearly a decade of leading the department.

Mendenhall nominated Redd a few days after announcing Brown’s departure. Redd was previously the Director of the Utah Department of Corrections before becoming the police chief of the SLCPD.

‘I want a safe city’: Salt Lake City’s new police chief outlines his goals, priorities