Phoenix officers accused of 'dumping' distressed man on side of road

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Police Department is currently reviewing the actions of officers involved in an incident where a distressed man was allegedly "dumped" on the side of the road. This occurred around 10:30 p.m. on March 21, near 12th Avenue and Jefferson, and witnesses have provided cell phone videos to ABC15, highlighting the incident.

Advocacy group member Stacey Champion, who was in the area assisting an elderly woman, described the situation as dangerous, particularly given that the man was unable to walk. The videos displayed officers unhandcuffing the man and letting him fall to the ground before driving away, leaving him sitting in the dirt. Witnesses noted that he was in distress, crying, and had visible injuries, including blood on his hands, with no shoes or personal belongings.

Champion and others remained with the man until he could communicate where he was staying and subsequently helped him reach a family member’s home. She expressed concern about the officers' lack of care for someone in such a vulnerable state, emphasizing a disconnect between the police's motto of “protect and serve” and their actions.

The police department issued a statement explaining that the situation began when a resident reported an unknown man at her door. Officers found the individual outside, appearing intoxicated and unable to provide his address. After a minor injury was observed, officers initially took him to the hospital but later returned him to the street outside of a nearby shelter without explanation.

The department acknowledged that officers have discretionary judgment in such scenarios. They opted to neither charge the man with a crime nor book him for disorderly conduct. A review of the incident is underway to assess the officers' conduct and identify potential improvements for future interactions with vulnerable individuals.