The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is now saying further investigation is needed into a 2017 incident in which a Glendale police officer used a stun gun repeatedly on a car passenger.
Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery issued a statement saying the office has sent materials to the Phoenix office of the FBI.
The county attorney originally did not charge the Glendale officer. Body camera footage shows him using a stun gun on passenger Johnny Wheatcroft 11 times, including after Wheatcroft was handcuffed and on the ground.
Montgomery made the decision Wednesday. "After having personally reviewed all available video evidence, I have determined further investigation is warranted," Montgomery said in a statement. "In order to ensure the public's confidence in any future determination of whether the use of force was lawful, review by an uninvolved agency is appropriate.”
This came after Gov. Doug Ducey talked to a 12 News reporter and called the investigation "whitewashed" after seeing the footage.
Wheatcroft is suing the Glendale police department, claiming excessive force.
