Moab police chief back on the job in a transitional role

MOAB, Utah — Moab City Police Chief Bret Edge is back on the job in a transitional role. The Moab Times-Independent reports that Edge has been certified to return to duty and did so Monday after months of leave.

An investigation revealed that Edge was collecting sick pay from the city while working on a photography business. Department rules prohibit such payments while working on another job.

Edge requested time under the Family and Medical Leave Act in late September. Earlier in the month, Gabby Petito’s body was discovered in Wyoming — weeks after the Moab Police Department came under media scrutiny for a taped interaction with her and boyfriend Brian Laundrie.

Brian Laundrie wrote he was responsible for Gabby Petito’s death in notebook, FBI says

Other scrutiny has also plagued the department in recent months. However, a connection between the reviews and Edge’s leave of absence has not been revealed.

“The city understands that the community has concerns about the police department, and after the mayor and the acting city manager met with Chief Edge it was determined that at this time he will serve in the position in a transitional role and the city will be seeking alternative leadership,” Moab spokesperson Lisa Church said in an email.

“In the meantime, the police department and city administration will work together on a comprehensive evaluation of the agency and will develop and implement improvements that may be needed,” she added.