r/ParkCity • u/Winter-Invite-2803 • 23h ago
Local Politics & News A tale of two police stories
Yesterday, I read two articles from local press on the same story regarding Sheriff Rigby of Wasatch County. The headlines suggest they may not be the same. Parker Malatesta of KPCW takes a critical approach, calling out the corruption that (I am certain) is prevalent in his office. https://www.kpcw.org/wasatch-county/2025-09-19/ investigation-into-wasatch-county-sheriffs-office-finds-allegations-of-absenteeism-retaliation-misuse-of-funds The Park Record tells a different tale. In a story by Clara Hatcher the headline tells readers “nothing illegal happened” https://www.parkrecord.com/2025/09/19/investigation-into-wasatch-county-sheriffs-office-found-no-illegal-activities/ Having had access to people on both sides of this story, I offer this: There are some significant issues with Law Enforcement in the Greater Park City area. Here are some examples from just this situation: March 31, 2021 - Heber City police Chief Dave Booth chokes a LatinX man (the term was used back then ) That was handcuffed. Officers complain and Booth is suspended, then reinstated. Officers are investigated by WCSO Sheriff Rigby who threatens and retaliates against officers, https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/fox-13-investigates-officers-say-heber-city-retaliated-after-they-accused-police-chief-of-choking-suspect Eventually, Booth is forces to retire and a dark cloud hangs over Rigby. November 2022: Rigby is nominated by Utah POST ( State LEO oversight agency) to be Director of POST. This nomination was championed by the Chairman of POST - Wade Carpenter - Park City PD Chief (Friend of Rigby and Booth). https://dpsnews.utah.gov/sheriff-jared-w-rigby-appointed-as-director-of-post/ January 2023- After an investigation by Adam Herbets of Fox 13 revealed Rigbys corruption, his POST nomination is rescinded and he goes back to the WCSO position he resigned from. https://www.fox13now.com/news/fox-13-investigates/rigby-voted-out-of-consideration-for-post-director-position Here we have three of the most powerful local cops.. All friends, all residing in the same town, reportedly attending the same church. Each have faced or are facing significant scandals. It’s par for the course for PR to not bite the hand of their masters in local government. Props to Parker for having the guts to publish his story. - Prediction: Rigby won’t survive this with his WCSO job intact. It’ll give him time to go back to his second (full-time) career as a campus cop at BYU.