The Phoenix Police Department has found itself under scrutiny after officers were accused of leaving a visibly distressed man on the side of the road, a sequence of events captured on film and witnessed by civilians. The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was left by officers near Central Arizona Shelter Services but curiously, not at its entrance, on the evening of March 21. The department has said that supervisors are now reviewing the actions of the officers involved, according to ABC15.
The footage, brought to light by a cell phone video provided to ABC15, shows two Phoenix officers unhandcuffing the man before he wobbles and ultimately drops to the ground. These officers subsequently left the scene. Stacey Champion, an advocate who was nearby, witnessing the incident, described the situation as "terribly dangerous," and criticized the officers by stating, "Dumping someone on the street, who can’t walk, when your motto is protect and serve, is doing neither one of those things," in a statement obtained by ABC15. Another aspect of the man's condition, Champion noted, was his being without shoes, wallet, or phone.
Further details from the incident reveal that the man was initially found by officers banging on a resident's door and appeared intoxicated. After being unable to provide his address, he was detained by the Phoenix police. They transported him to Valleywise Health Medical Center after noting a minor injury, but he was retrieved from the hospital after a call from its security and left near Central Arizona Shelter Services a short time later, according to AZCentral.
Despite the proximity to the shelter, Champion has questioned why the man wasn't escorted to the entrance, emphasizing the risks he faced left in his condition. She recounted on her post that "he kept falling down when he tried to walk and was crying and dry heaving." Ultimately, it was witnesses, moved by the man's plight, who saw to it that he was safely transported to a family member's home. The Phoenix Police Department has suggested that the man was not charged with a crime or booked for disorderly conduct and affirms a commitment to community service and the possibility of procedural improvements following this incident.
The episode has sparked conversation about how law enforcement interacts with individuals who are in need of assistance and the responsibilities entailed in protecting and serving the community. As of yet, there has been no formal statement regarding the outcome of the supervisor's review of the officers' actions.
