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Two Phoenix Police Officers Under Criminal Investigation Following Traffic Stop Allegations

Two Phoenix Police Officers Under Criminal Investigation Following Traffic Stop Allegations

The Phoenix Police Department has launched a criminal investigation into two of its officers. The investigation stems from a traffic stop where the officers reportedly failed to document the use of force and did not activate their body cameras. This internal inquiry began after Tempe Police referred a case to Phoenix authorities. Tempe Police had initially responded to a call about a disabled vehicle, during which two individuals reported being assaulted by suspects impersonating police officers. Due to the alleged location of the incident, the case was forwarded to Phoenix, leading to the criminal investigation of the two Phoenix officers. While the Phoenix Police Department has confirmed the investigation and stated that the officers have been placed on leave, they have not publicly identified them. Multiple sources indicate that the officers are assigned to the South Mountain Precinct. ABC15, which first reported on the story, noted that sources suggest the situation's severity and the nature of the all...

Phoenix Police Department Initiates Criminal Investigation into Two Officers for Alleged Use-of-Force and Policy Violations

Phoenix Police Department Initiates Criminal Investigation into Two Officers for Alleged Use-of-Force and Policy Violations

The Phoenix Police Department has launched a criminal investigation into two of its officers following allegations of use-of-force during a traffic stop. Preliminary information indicates that the officers did not activate their body-worn cameras or report the incident, which is a violation of departmental policy. The department became aware of these accusations last week. In response to the seriousness of the allegations, both officers have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The special investigations unit is currently handling the criminal inquiry. Upon its completion, the Professional Standards Bureau will initiate an administrative investigation to ensure a thorough, impartial, and comprehensive review of the incident. The department has not yet disclosed the specific date or location of the traffic stop, nor have the names of the officers involved been released.

San Antonio Police Fatally Shoot Man Reportedly Approaching Officers with Knives During Mental Health Episode

San Antonio Police Fatally Shoot Man Reportedly Approaching Officers with Knives During Mental Health Episode

San Antonio Police officers fatally shot a man who they say approached them with two large kitchen knives during what was described as a possible mental health episode. The incident occurred just before midnight at a home on Spring Front Drive on the Northwest Side. Police responded to a 911 call from the man himself, who reported a disturbance involving a gun and claimed there were people in his backyard. Upon the officers' arrival, the caller and his girlfriend came to the door. As the man walked with officers around the side of the house, he reportedly pulled out two large kitchen knives and aggressively advanced towards them. Officers ordered him to drop the knives, but he did not comply, leading at least one officer to open fire, striking the man multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The man's identity has not been released, and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Chicago Police Officer Who Shot Into Moving Car in 2020 Will Not Be Fired, Receives 30-Day Suspension

Chicago Police Officer Who Shot Into Moving Car in 2020 Will Not Be Fired, Receives 30-Day Suspension

A Chicago Police Department (CPD) officer, Charles Harris II, who shot into a moving car in June 2020, wounding two men, will not be fired despite a recommendation from the Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA). Former Chicago Police Supt. Larry Snelling determined that Officer Harris should face a 30-day suspension, rejecting COPA's initial recommendation for termination. The incident occurred on June 12, 2020, in Englewood. According to the probe, an officer approached a reportedly stolen Chevrolet Malibu, which then began moving in reverse. When blocked by a CPD vehicle, the car drove forward, striking Officer Eddie Haynie and dragging him. Officer Harris then fired five shots at the car, wounding two occupants. Both men were later convicted of charges related to the altercation. COPA concluded that Harris's use of force was unreasonable as Officer Haynie was no longer in the vehicle's path when the shots were fired, and also cited Harris's failure to activate his body-worn camera and notify s...

Menasha Police Officer Sentenced for Misusing Flock License Plate Readers

Menasha Police Officer Sentenced for Misusing Flock License Plate Readers

Menasha police officer Cristian Morales, 32, has been sentenced to six months in jail followed by three years of probation after pleading no contest to misusing Flock license plate reader cameras. Morales conducted seven off-duty searches using Flock's nationwide network of cameras, accessing between 15,234 and 92,702 individual cameras. The AI-powered cameras continuously photograph vehicles and license plates, cataloging them in a searchable database for law enforcement. Morales used the system to track a vehicle belonging to his ex-girlfriend, who subsequently reported her suspicions to the Appleton Police Department, initiating an investigation. When confronted, Morales attributed his actions to 'desperation, and bad judgment, combined with a lack of sleep.' The victim described a 'pattern' of controlling and violent behavior by Morales, stating she continues to suffer from anxiety. Judge Mark Schroeder characterized Morales as an 'oathbreaker' who abused his authority for personal and nefarious purpos...

Former Prichard Police Chief and Major Prohibited from Law Enforcement Work Amid Pending Cases

Former Prichard Police Chief and Major Prohibited from Law Enforcement Work Amid Pending Cases

Former Prichard Police Chief Walter Knight and Major Aaron Tucker are now prohibited from working in law enforcement or security roles while their cases are pending. This restriction was imposed by a judge during their initial appearances in Mobile County Circuit Court, where they both pleaded not guilty. Knight and Tucker face charges of using their positions for personal gain and theft by deception. Investigators allege they were clocking in for the city of Prichard while simultaneously working other jobs and failing to respond to police calls. Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood requested the amendment to their bond conditions, stating it is a standard measure in similar cases involving law enforcement officers to prevent any appearance of impropriety. Blackwood confirmed he was unaware of either defendant working in law enforcement between their arrest and Monday's hearing. Both individuals were indicted by a grand jury, bypassing a preliminary hearing, and are scheduled for a status hearin...

Advocates Demand Transparency and Accountability in Gaithersburg Police Shooting of Elliott Powers

Advocates Demand Transparency and Accountability in Gaithersburg Police Shooting of Elliott Powers

Community and social justice advocates in Montgomery County are calling for a fair and transparent investigation into the fatal police shooting of Elliott Powers, 46, in Gaithersburg. Powers, who was Black, was shot by police at a bus stop on July 12, approximately 13 minutes after officers responded to a 911 call reporting a man loading a gun. Body and dashboard camera footage released on August 7 revealed interactions where officers, with guns drawn, attempted to convince Powers to drop his weapon. Powers reportedly refused orders and told officers to leave him alone or hurt him. The shooting occurred after Powers allegedly raised and pointed his handgun towards an officer who had moved away from the police line. The Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division (IID) is currently investigating the incident, with six officers (three from Gaithersburg police and three from Montgomery County police) placed on administrative leave.

Arizona Republic

Phoenix police open criminal investigation of officers in traffic stop

Phoenix police open criminal investigation of officers in traffic stop

Two Phoenix police officers were placed on leave after community members made accusations about criminal conduct against them.

The Commercial Appeal

Flock cameras are in Memphis. See where, if your plate has been searched

Flock cameras are in Memphis. See where, if your plate has been searched

Flock says it has 120,000 cameras in 49 states, including about 1,000 in Memphis. Most are in Downtown, Midtown and East Memphis.

Taylorsville Police Shoot and Kill Suspect in Apartment Stabbing Incident

Taylorsville Police Shoot and Kill Suspect in Apartment Stabbing Incident

In Taylorsville, Utah, police officers shot and killed a suspect accused of breaking into an apartment and stabbing a resident. The incident occurred late Sunday when officers responded to a reported break-in at the Callaway Apartments. According to the Taylorsville Police Department, the suspect, identified as 23-year-old Tyler Wilson, who also resided at the apartment complex, had allegedly stabbed the victim multiple times after entering the unit. Upon arrival, officers engaged Wilson and fired their weapons, resulting in his death at the scene. The condition of the victim, a 32-year-old, was initially critical but has since been upgraded to stable. The two officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol following such incidents.

City of Surprise Terminates Contract with Flock Safety Over Misuse Concerns of Automated License Plate Readers

City of Surprise Terminates Contract with Flock Safety Over Misuse Concerns of Automated License Plate Readers

The City of Surprise has announced the cancellation of its contract with Flock Safety and requested the removal of all associated equipment, following concerns over the misuse of automated license plate readers (ALPRs). This decision comes after an audit identified an anomaly in the system's use, leading to the suspension of the ALPR program. A Surprise Police Officer was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the matter. Surprise Police Chief Evan Becher stated that the department is committed to ensuring enhanced protections are in place before potentially reimplementing ALPR cameras, emphasizing the need for strong safeguards to prevent and alert of misuse. The City of Surprise is the fourth city in the Valley to report potential misuse of its Flock Safety system in less than a week, with Chandler and Tempe also taking action regarding their ALPR systems, and Goodyear Police investigating an officer for misuse.

Bloomington Assistant Police Chief Placed on Leave Following Federal Lawsuit Alleging Wrongful Arrest and Civil Rights Violations

Bloomington Assistant Police Chief Placed on Leave Following Federal Lawsuit Alleging Wrongful Arrest and Civil Rights Violations

Bloomington Assistant Police Chief Paul Williams has been placed on administrative leave after a federal lawsuit was filed against him and the city government. The lawsuit, brought by Garrett Chubb and Lenelle Higgins, alleges that Williams illegally arrested them and confiscated their cellphones during a traffic stop. According to the plaintiffs, Williams, who was reportedly not in uniform and driving an unmarked vehicle, blocked their car in a parking space. He then used his police badge to make contact with their vehicle, alarming them. When Chubb and Higgins began recording the incident on their cellphones, Williams allegedly retreated to his truck, locked the doors, and called other officers. The lawsuit claims that Williams then directed on-duty officers to arrest the pair for disorderly conduct and seize their phones, despite lacking probable cause. Although Chubb and Higgins were given notices to appear in court, prosecutors ultimately decided not to file charges. The city of Bloomington has confir...