By admin 
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Two Phoenix police officers are on paid administrative leave after being accused of kidnapping, robbing, punching and threatening a couple at gunpoint in an off-the-books traffic stop.
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Phoenix Police Chief Matt Giordano declined our request for an interview. He instead posted a pre-taped video statement to social media.
“We know there are many questions about the accusations against these two officers and we understand community concern. Those questions matter and they deserve answers,” Giordano said.
Phoenix police have no body camera footage of the incident, which violates department policy. Tempe police have body camera video of interviews with the victims and photos of their injuries. Access to those records could take more than six months, even though the records were paid for Wednesday.
“Accountability is our priority,” Giordano said.
Who are the officers?
Tempe police initially believed the incident was a carjacking committed by men impersonating police officers. Arizona’s Family confirmed the two suspects are sworn Phoenix police officers.
Phoenix police officials have not released the officers’ names or said how long they have worked for the department. The officers are on paid administrative leave. No arrests have been made, so no mugshots exist.
Were the officers on duty?
Phoenix police confirmed the officers used force during a traffic stop on Aug. 5. The department said the officers violated policy by not reporting the incident and by not turning on their body cameras.
It remains unclear whether the officers were on official police business or off duty at the time. Detectives have not answered that question.
“Transparency is essential, and we are committed to communicating openly,” Giordano said.
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Why isn’t an outside agency investigating?
A Phoenix police spokesperson said the department’s Special Investigations Detail is leading the investigation. That unit handles all criminal investigations involving city employees. The unit does not take a case only if there is a conflict of interest, and officials do not believe that applies in this case.
Why are Tempe police involved?
One of the victims got away during the incident and drove off, but the car overheated and broke down in Tempe. Tempe police found the car abandoned and contacted the owner, which started the investigation.
Potential impact on other cases
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said potential impacts to other cases are unknown at this time but the office is “diligently assessing the specific role of each officer in every open case where they are identified as a witness.”
When MCAO receives information that an officer is under investigation, we identify that officer’s open cases and make notification to the assigned DCAs for appropriate disclosure to the defense.
In this case, MCAO was notified the officers are under criminal investigation, and the Phoenix Police Department will also conduct an administrative investigation for any potential policy violations. The outcome of both investigations may or may not have an impact on any open case where the officer is listed as a state’s witness. While we currently do not know the outcome of either investigation, the MCAO is diligently assessing the specific role of each officer in every open case where they are identified as a witness. The potential impact to any open case is unknown right now and remains ongoing.
The notification process is typically done via a phone call, email, by the officer themselves during an interview or some other means.
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