Gilbert Police Chief Withdraws From Assistant Town Manager Bid
Michael Soelberg will return to leading the Gilbert Police Department once a new assistant town manager is in place.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg withdrew his name from consideration for the permanent assistant town manager position, according to a town news release. Soelberg has served as interim assistant town manager since March.
Why it matters
Soelberg said his eight months in the interim role reinforced his focus on public safety and on leading the Gilbert Police Department. The decision comes as a Change.org petition calling for his removal as police chief had gathered 2,220 signatures by mid-morning on Nov. 6.
Soelberg withdrew from the permanent assistant town manager consideration and will return to his police chief role once the new appointee is in place. The extraction does not specify a date for when the new assistant town manager will be named.
The players
Michael Soelberg
Gilbert's police chief, who has served as interim assistant town manager since March and has faced public criticism over his handling of the Gilbert Goons cases.
Marion Paniagua
Gilbert's town manager, who thanked Soelberg for stepping into the interim role during a leadership transition.
The details
Town Manager Marion Paniagua thanked Soelberg for stepping into the role during a leadership transition. Residents have criticized Soelberg's handling of the 'Gilbert Goons' cases, which a December 2023 Arizona Republic investigation revealed to be a gang of mostly affluent teenagers who attacked other teens in the southeast Valley for more than a year.
Timeline
December 2023: The Arizona Republic investigation revealed the Gilbert Goons.
March: Soelberg began serving as interim assistant town manager.
Nov. 6: Soelberg withdrew from permanent assistant town manager consideration as the petition reached 2,220 signatures.
Legal Context
The petition opposing Soelberg was first launched nearly two years ago, tying the current leadership dispute to the Gilbert Goons controversy that the December 2023 Arizona Republic investigation brought into public view. The episode reflects how local police leadership in the southeast Valley has been judged against the handling of a teen gang that attacked other teens for more than a year.
Residents of Gilbert are weighing the police chief's continued role in leading the department while a permanent assistant town manager is selected. The leadership transition could affect how local police priorities and public safety oversight are handled in the coming months.
The takeaway
Leadership changes in local government can carry lasting consequences for public trust in police oversight, especially when past controversies remain unresolved. Readers following Gilbert's public safety decisions can track town announcements for updates on the assistant town manager appointment.
Further reading
Explore more Gilbert law enforcement coverage for context on the department's recent leadership and public safety developments.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AZ Central.
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