The Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training (AZPOST) board voted Wednesday to initiate proceedings against a current and a former Pinal County Sheriff’s Office deputy in what could be the beginning of the end for their state certification.
Public records show former PCSO Sgt. Jason J. Philpot was the subject of two misconduct complaints, including one in which he violated administrative leave directives in 2019. The other involved Philpot’s admission to punching his pregnant ex-wife in the stomach in 2020.
Philpot, who worked for Pinal County from May 2011 to December 2019, was placed on paid administrative leave for several months starting in July 2019. Why he was placed on leave was not disclosed during the meeting but Philpot, 32, was required him to remain at his residence Monday through Friday during business hours unless a supervisors approved a change.
According to a compliance report, PCSO accused Philpot of violating the stay at home restriction and even demanding a supervisor get off the property during a home check. PCSO officials also learned in November 2019 that Philpot was working outside the home for a private security company while receiving paid leave from the county.
Philpot resigned in December 2019 but retained his state certification which is required in order to work as a peace officer. That certification is now at risk of permanent revocation after the board also learned about criminal charged filed against Philpot stemming from a September 2020 incident in which he assaulted his ex-wife in her home in front of witnesses.
Court records show Philpot was charged in a San Tan Valley court with disorderly conduct and assault with the intent to cause injury. In May, a justice of the peace suspended prosecution of the case at the request of the prosecution while Philpot participates in an adult diversion program.
Acceptance into the diversion program was prefaced on Philpot admitting to the assault. A court hearing is set for Dec. 9 at which time the criminal charges could be formally dismissed if Philpot has complied with his diversion plan.
Public records show Philpot received Pinal County’s Act of Bravery award in 2013 for his handling of an armed robbery at a bank. He was previously employed with the Globe Police Department as an officer from 2007 to 2011.
A suspension, even revocation, of Deputy Julian A, Navarrette’s AZPOST certification is possible after the board was briefed at Wednesday’s meeting on the deputy’s attempts to use his status as a peace officer to avoid arrest for driving under the influence while off-duty last year.
Records show Navarrette, 23, was pulled over shortly after 2 a.m. Dec. 5, 2020 in Tempe by an Arizona State University police officer on suspicion of DUI. A test of Navarrette’s blood alcohol content at 3 a.m. gave a .147 percent reading, well above the legal limit of .08 percent, the board was told.
The incident, which started with Navarrette driving 60 mph in a 40 mph zone, was captured by an ASU officer’s body cam. The deputy, who has worked for the agency since October 2018, repeatedly referenced his status with PCSO and even asked an ASU officer to allow one of Naverrette’s passengers to take the breath test instead.
DUI charges were filed and Navarrette’s criminal case is scheduled for an Aug. 19 status conference at the University Lakes Justice Court. He will be notified by mail of the AZPOST vote to initiate proceedings against his certification.