A former sergeant of the Scottsdale Police Department, Derok Roach, received a suspension for his certification for a period of one year after evidence emerged that he engaged in sexual activities while on duty in a police vehicle. The Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST), the body responsible for regulating law enforcement personnel, deliberated and agreed on the suspension last Wednesday, as originally reported by Phoenix New Times. Roach had previously been terminated from the department in February.
Details about the incidents came to light after an internal investigation was launched by the Scottsdale Police in 2024, when accusations of misconduct that began in 2022 were brought to their attention. During the investigation, a woman recounted multiple instances of engaging in sexual conduct with Roach while he was on-duty at various locations, as stated in the AZPOST records and as reported by 12 News. Roach, while failing to recall the specific instances, did not deny the sexual activities took place in his work vehicle.
Further inquiry into payroll records supported the claims of misconduct during Roach's working hours. In a statement obtained by 12 News, AZPOST documents noted, "There was no evidence to suggest any calls for service went unanswered during these encounters." The board concluded that the evidence warranted a disciplinary action of a one-year suspension for Roach's certification.
In the aftermath, Roach's attorney addressed the AZPOST board, stating that his client "recognizes the errors and his actions and he takes full responsibility for them" and that they consider the 12-month suspension to be "appropriate," according to a direct quote from 12 News.
