Buckeye police employees allege departmental misconduct
Nov 28, 2017, 1:30 PM
(Facebook Photo)
(Facebook Photo)
PHOENIX — In a letter to city officials, employees of the Buckeye police department accused some of its leaders of becoming corrupt and bullying other workers into silence, among other allegations.
The letter accusing at least five members of the department of various acts of misconduct — including altering crime data — was sent anonymously to City Manager Robert Klingler and city councilmembers in mid-September because the authors feared retribution. It was released to media this week.
“This is hands down the worst Buckeye PD has ever been, as there are horrible morale issues that result from employees being harassed, targeted by the current administration and treated differently based on who they are,” the letter read.
The names of the accused were blacked out in the letter released to media.
The most serious accusation made was that an official made a decision about a domestic violence incident that eventually resulted in the death of two people. That official then allegedly put the blame on a subordinate and another official failed to look into the matter.
The letter also claimed that several officials modified crime data to artificially lower crime rates and there was a paper trail to prove it. The authors wrote that at least one person had changed numerous crimes to lesser offenses and forced others to do the same.
“[Unidentified person] likes to change burglaries to thefts or lost properties, aggravated assaults to simple assaults and recently changed an arson with over $30,000 in damage to ‘fire,'” the letter read.
The authors of the letter claimed the FBI had been contacted about the alterations and that the FBI said it would step in should the city fail to take steps to change the practice.
Other allegations included misusing funds to go on trips to see a mistress, drinking before driving a city vehicle and covering up policy violations.
The city said it hired an independent investigator to look into the claims.
“We took the letter very seriously, as best we could with it being anonymous and not having any supporting documentation to go with it,” city spokeswoman Annie DeChance said.
Though she could not comment on the ongoing investigation, DeChance said the city would get answers.
“The city is absolutely committed to our residents and to the public to get to the bottom of this,” she said.
KTAR News’ Ali Vetnar contributed to this report.
