Phoenix PD Fires 2 For Social Media Posts, Viral Arrest Video

PHOENIX, AZ — In addition to the Phoenix Police Department’s firing of Sgt. Daniel Beau Jones, the department also announced Tuesday the termination of two more members of the force: Detective Clinton “Dave” Swick for his racist Facebook posts, and Officer Christopher Meyer for his role in an incident caught on video in which he pulled his gun on a black couple and their children after an alleged dollar store theft.

Swick Fired

Swick was fired, Chief Jeri Williams said, for racist social media posts, according to azfamily.com. Swick was one of 72 Phoenix officers whose social media posts were flagged in the Plain View Project as controversial, violent or racist. Nine officers were recently suspended, but Swick was terminated “based on the number and the nature of the social posts,” Williams said.

Among Swick’s many questionable social media comments and posts, according to azcentral.com, were those targeting black or Muslim people. One example was a photo referencing “Obama’s Muslim colonization plan.” Another was a meme recommending motorists should “speed up, aim well” at protestors in Ferguson, Missouri after a police officer shot Michael Brown. Another meme posted by Swick said, “Statistics show that criminals commit less crime after they’ve been shot.”

The firing adds to the debate over whether the department is infringing on the First Amendment rights to free speech by its personnel on social media. The department's written social-media policy, though, warns employees to be careful in “speech and related activity on social media sites” as it “may be considered a reflection upon their position, and, in some instances, this Department.”

Williams said Tuesday officers do have a right to free speech, but their roles as Phoenix police officers holds them to a higher standard. “We wear this badge as our commitment to a higher standard. One that won’t erode the trust of those we serve or tarnish the pride that is involved with being a police officer,” Williams stated. “It is difficult to admit that we had employees that did not live up to those expectations. But we know that the behavior we witness was unacceptable,” Williams said.

Meyer Fired Over Dollar Store Arrest

Williams also announced Meyer’s firing Tuesday. Meyers is one of several officers who responded to a call of an alleged shoplifting at a Phoenix dollar store in May, an incident caught on video by several civilians. The videos show Meyer and another officer aiming guns at a pregnant 24-year-old Iesha Harper, her fiancée, Dravon Ames, 22, and their 1- and 4-year-old daughters after the officers caught up with the young family at an apartment complex parking lot nearby.

One video shows Meyer shouting at Ames to put his hands up, then Meyer threatens him, shouting, “I’m gonna put a f------ cap in your f------ head,” according to an account by ABC News. In another video, Meyer is placing handcuffs on Ames while on top of him, then Meyer yanks Ames up and shoves him against the side of a police vehicle. Meyer then kicks Ames’ legs, nearly making Ames fall down. Meyers then shouts at Ames in the video, “When I tell you to do something, you f------ do it!” Ames was shown saying to Meyer, “I’m sorry” after telling Meyer he was trying to comply.

Other officers in both videos are seen aiming guns at the family’s car with the pregnant woman and the couple’s young daughters inside. One of the children was accused of stealing a doll, but the dollar store is not pressing charges.. The couple is suing the city over the incident.

The other officer involved in the Ames arrest incident received a lighter punishment — a written reprimand from the Disciplinary Review Board — because of his attempts to de-escalate the incident. The Disciplinary Review Board recommended a six-week suspension without pay for Meyer, but Williams said she didn’t agree.

“After meeting with the officer, Chris Meyer, personally and considering all the facts of the case, I have notified him of my intention to terminate his employment. In this case, a 240-hour suspension is just not sufficient to reverse the adverse effects of his actions on our department and our community,” she said. But Williams said Meyer is on administrative leave and has the right to appeal the termination.

Controversy Follows Decisions

But not everyone agrees with Williams’ decision to fire Swick and Meyer, including the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, which issued a statement pointing out that Discipline Review Boards recommended suspensions for both officers. "Neither Discipline Review Board, which are composed of community members and police employees, recommended terminating either Officer Meyer or Detective Swick,” the union said.