PHOENIX — On Tuesday, three Phoenix police officers involved in separate incidents, including Officer Christopher Meyer, who was involved in the very high-profile arrest of a family accused of shoplifting, have been fired.
Police Chief Jeri Williams held a press conference in which she announced the terminations.
Phoenix City Councilman Sal DiCiccio and the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association criticize the actions. DiCiccio said on Facebook that the “officers were fired for political reasons. Not only will this decision cost the City of Phoenix millions of dollars in a lawsuit, but these officers will end up getting their jobs back when the decision is overturned.”
A disciplinary review board had recommended that Meyer only receive a six-week suspension.
Officer Meyer was seen in a video drawing his gun and cursing at Iesha Harper, who was pregnant and holding a baby, and her fiance, Dravon Ames. Officers were responding to a complaint about the family members shoplifting.
Detective Dave Swick was fired for inappropriate social media posts. The Plain View Project found public posts from officers from several police departments nationwide that appeared to be bigoted or glorifying police brutality. Swick’s posts were targeted due to their focus on Muslims and blacks.
DiCiccio’s Chief of Staff Sam Stone explained the situation on KFYI’s James T. Harris show and the possibility the City will be forced to rehire the officers.
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