A former Phoenix police officer is suing the city for his job back after being fired over a fatal shooting that led to a $5.5 million legal settlement.
Now, the city is asking a federal judge to dismiss the case.
Violation of a Phoenix Police Department sanctity-of-life policy was one reason given by a former chief for firing Jesse Johnson.
Johnson’s lawsuit says the policy is unconstitutional and that Phoenix police were not trained on how it applies when officers use violence or physical force.
The city’s reply says Johnson unnecessarily escalated a 2022 encounter with a man throwing rocks into traffic by driving up and immediately pulling his gun.
The reply also says Johnson ignored policy he had notice of, and with meaning that should be common sense to a trained police officer.
