Goodyear police actions during heated traffic stop ruled appropriate

PHOENIX — A review of a Goodyear Police Department traffic stop, in which a woman was dragged out of her car, found the officer “acted appropriately,” investigators said.

A video surfaced on social media of an officer punching 39-year-old Renee Armenta and dragging her out of her car as she was screaming on Sept. 6.

The Surprise Police Department handled the case at Goodyear’s request and said that the Goodyear officer “acted appropriately and within department policy and procedure.”

The police review stated statement that the officer stopped Armenta for having a revoked license. The officer approached the vehicle and asked her to step out and advised her to turn around and informed her that she was under arrest, according to the statement.

Goodyear Police released body camera footage of the arrest. The officer involved can be heard telling other officers at the scene that he punched Armenta, though the punch was not clearly seen in the video.

Armenta resisted arrest, argued with the officer and reached inside her vehicle “creating a substantial risk for the officer and others,” according to the review.

Police said the officer “feared for his safety” and struck Armenta in the head to protect himself.

Armenta and her attorney Anthony Ramirez were taking action.

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