Gilbert Petition Demands Police Chief Removal
A community petition calls for accountability following the death of teen Preston Lord.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Residents in Gilbert are demanding the removal of Police Chief Michael Soelberg over the department's handling of teen violence. The petition follows the death of 16-year-old Preston Lord after a party.
Why it matters
The petition alleges that the police department failed to adequately address teen attacks connected to the Gilbert Goons. Critics seek accountability from town leadership regarding the investigation into Lord's death.
A petition seeking the removal of Police Chief Michael Soelberg has surpassed 1,000 signatures. The status of the official investigation into the police department's response to teen violence remains subject to local council scrutiny.
The players
Michael Soelberg
He is the current police chief of Gilbert and serves as the town's interim assistant town manager.
Tony Reich
He is the local resident who initiated the petition demanding the removal of the police chief.
Preston Lord
He was the 16-year-old victim who died following an assault outside a Halloween party in 2023.
The details
Tony Reich organized the petition, which directs accusations of negligence toward the Gilbert Police Department. The request for removal comes while Soelberg also serves in the role of interim assistant town manager for the town.
Timeline
Preston Lord died after being beaten outside a Halloween party in October 2023.
The assistant town manager position was publicly posted in September 2026.
Applications for the assistant town manager role closed in October 2026.
Legal Context
This petition follows the pattern of community-led accountability efforts sparked by the 2023 death of Preston Lord. Such actions often lead to heightened public scrutiny of municipal police departments and their investigative standards.
Residents may see increased town council discussions regarding police oversight and municipal administration policies. The public pressure serves as a direct effort to influence the ongoing search for a permanent assistant town manager.
The takeaway
The petition underscores a growing demand for transparency in how local police departments manage investigations into juvenile violence. Residents can stay informed by attending upcoming town council meetings where these administrative roles are addressed.
Further reading
For more information on ongoing oversight efforts, visit the Law Enforcement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AZfamily.
