The Phoenix Police Department has announced the arrest of Officer Conner Orth-Smith an aggravated assault charge for an incident that occurred on-duty last Friday around 6:45 at night in the area of 99th Avenue and McDowell Road.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, the 23-year-old probationary officer had been called to help security personnel at a local hospital after a man refused to leave the property and became physical with security. Orth-Smith contacted the man, who appeared to be intoxicated, and agreed to transport him to a facility for help. Subsequent interaction led to an arrest of the man for aggravated assault on a police officer.
Several days later, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office alerted Phoenix Police about concerns regarding the body-worn camera video related to the arrest. At the same time, an internal review of this incident was underway. The review showed Orth-Smith physically assaulting the man while he was handcuffed causing visible injuries.
The actions of the officer were deemed “unreasonable and in no way proportional to the man’s actions.”
Orth-Smith joined the Phoenix Police Department in May 2020. After graduating the Phoenix Regional Police Academy, he was assigned to patrol in Maryvale-Estrella Mountain Precinct in November 2020. He has tendered his resignation.
“The behavior captured on the body-worn camera in this instance is egregious, appalling and will not be tolerated,” said Police Chief Jeri Williams. “Our agency took decisive and immediate action. Acts like these leave a blemish on the badge and affect the noble profession of policing, making it more difficult for the men and women who police with integrity and honor.”
The criminal investigation into this incident is still ongoing. There is also a concurrent administrative investigation being conducted looking into potential policy violations.