By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A Phoenix police sergeant who showed up masked and armed at an anti-ICE student walkout at Hamilton High School in Chandler earlier this year is now out of a job.
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Phoenix Police Chief Matthew Giordano said in a statement Thursday that he had fired Dusten Mullen because of his actions at the protest.
“Although he was off duty and not in uniform, the oath we take binds us to a higher standard,” Giordano said. “Community trust is not something we are owed; it is something we earn every day.”
Mullen’s lawyer told Arizona’s Family that Mullen is disappointed but not surprised by the decision.
“While he hoped that the City of Phoenix and Chief Giordano would conduct a ‘thorough and fair’ investigation, that is not what occurred,” Steve Serbalik said in an email. He added he hopes the courts will protect the rights of Mullen.
This move comes after Mullen filed a preliminary injunction to stop a hearing regarding his employment earlier this month, claiming he’s being retaliated against for his political viewpoint.
Chandler police said Mullen arrived near the high school at the immigration protest on Jan. 30 and tried to provoke students by wearing a mask and openly carrying a handgun with extra magazines. He reportedly told the students to “grow up.”
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According to Mullen’s lawsuit, he said he didn’t identify himself as a police officer, was in the area because his children attended the school and was concerned about the protest.
Mullen claimed he was placed on administrative leave last month, about two months after the protest, because of media attention.
Giordano said his department should address “misconduct swiftly” to help with community trust.
“We strengthen that trust through transparency, accountability, consistent expectations, and meaningful engagement with the people we serve. Addressing misconduct swiftly and fairly is essential to maintaining that trust,” Giordano said.
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