Phoenix sergeant put on leave as Chandler official calls for his firing over actions at student protest

PHOENIX — A sergeant with the Phoenix Police Department was put on administrative leave Friday as his off-duty actions at a January student protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Chandler are being investigated.

ABC15 reported that Sgt. Dusten Mullen showed up fully armed and masked to an ICE protest that was conducted by Hamilton High School students, according to a Chandler police report.

The report also stated that Mullen confronted students despite police intervention and said he was going to call other armed individuals to the area.

“As law enforcement professionals, we are held to higher standards of conduct — both in and out of uniform,” Phoenix Police Chief Matt Giordano said in a statement Friday. “Our community expects integrity, accountability and sound judgment from every member of this department, and I expect the same. When we fall short, we must be accountable, and we will not tolerate actions which undermine the trust the community has placed in the department.”

In addition, a 15-year-old girl was allegedly arrested during the protest for throwing water on Mullen. However, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is not pursuing charges against her.

Giordano added that once completed, the investigation will be sent to him to review and decide what action will be taken.

“As the chief of the Phoenix Police Department, I remain committed to building and maintaining community trust, transparency and accountability,” Giordano said. “I am taking this matter very seriously, and I will communicate my findings publicly as soon as they are made.”

Chandler council member accuses Phoenix sergeant of trying to entrap students

Chandler City Council member OD Harris told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos on Friday that he believes Mullen was ready for action when he showed up at the protest, saying he brought a loaded gun with two magazines.

Harris noted that if Mullen was within 1,000 feet of the high school, then he could be in violation of federal law.

“Your child is there with your permission to protest,” Harris said. “Here comes an agitator whose goal is to literally undermine to create malice entrapment. … He came to my city to manufacture chaos, get these kids to respond and get them all riled up and get them going so that way he can have them all arrested.”

Harris said that Mullen actually verbalized those intentions to the Chandler police officers who asked him to move. He added that it took more than 30 minutes for officers to get Mullen to comply.

“He literally was here to incite, and that’s why I’m asking for his immediate firing,” Harris said. “I am also asking the city council to ban him from the city of Chandler. And I’m asking every school to ban him from coming on any property within our premises. … I’m actually pushing for a full … citywide ban, so this law enforcement officer cannot come to the city of Chandler and cause chaos again.”

In addition, Harris called on the Phoenix City Council to make it an agenda item during a meeting and allow the kids he “terrorized” at the protest to testify why Mullen shouldn’t be wearing a badge.

The council member called Mullen “a disgrace to the badge.”

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