PHOENIX— A 19-year-old male claims three Phoenix police officers forced him to consume an estimated one gram of marijuana, under the threat of going to jail. The Phoenix Police Department officers indicated, Michael J. Carnicle, Jason E. McFadden, and Richard G. Pina, have consequently resigned from their positions and are under investigation.
The driver, whose name is withheld, was stopped for speeding early Tuesday morning at approximately 3:30 AM on September 13th. He was pulled over in Maryvale, a neighborhood on the west side of Phoenix. As a result, the suspect was issued a traffic citation, and his car was towed. Reports indicate the vehicle registration was invalid, and the driver claimed to have an expired medical marijuana license from another state. Other sources reveal a gun was also found in the vehicle.
Officers discovered marijuana in the vehicle and apparently demanded the driver eat it or be taken to jail. After being bullied into ingesting the illegal substance, the man became sick but was not seriously hurt and subsequently chose not to receive medical attention. Phoenix Police Chief Joseph Yahner claims the incident was not recorded. Although all three officers were wearing body cameras at the time, the video cameras had suspiciously been turned off.
The teenage suspect filed a complaint with the police department and an internal investigation ensued, resulting in the criminal investigation of two of the officers present. The third officer (unspecified) is considered a witness and subject to administrative investigation. Yahner states the three officers were all within their first year of employment at the Phoenix Police Department. According to Chief Yahner, their employment was probationary, and the officers would have been fired if they had not chosen to resign.
Former officer Jason E. McFadden is being hailed as the instigator of the event. Having served 10 years as a police officer in Chicago, McFadden racked up a total of 15 citizen allegations against him. Claims include illegal searches, excessive use of force and verbal abuse– though he was only charged with one of the offenses, of neglecting shift duty. McFadden had transferred from Chicago to Phoenix within the last year.
A fourth officer, supervisor Jeff Farrior, was demoted from lieutenant to sergeant after becoming aware of the case and failing to take proper action. Farrior’s photo was protected by a court order and thereby unreleased. Yahner publically criticized Farrior’s inefficiency in taking the matter seriously.
“The conduct alleged by our resident is contrary to everything we stand for as community servants,” Chief Yahner stated, declaring the incident “unacceptable, appalling and extremely unprofessional.” Yahner vows “Once the facts are determined, I will take quick and appropriate action to ensure those involved are held accountable for their actions.” Yahner refused to discuss further details of the investigations.
This November, Arizona residents will vote on initiative Proposition 205, which would legalize marijuana for recreational use. If successful, Prop. 205 will allow residents aged 21 and over to be in possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for private consumption only.
