Ariz. Highway Patrol Leader Removed After No-Confidence Vote

The leader of the Arizona Highway Patrol has been demoted, following a survey of the rank-and-file that returned widespread disapproval of Lt. Col. Jack Hegarty.

Department of Public Safety Director Robert Halliday cited Hegarty's "disruptive leadership" and returned him to the rank of captain, reports the Arizona Republic . He oversees 800 civilian and sworn employees.

However, the agency has not hired new employees since 2008, continues to pay officers lower than many other law-enforcement agencies in the state and its employees saw their benefits package reduced last year due to the state's budget crisis.