In consecutive weekdays, four metro Phoenix police departments have announced internal investigations into misuse of controversial license plate readers, also known as LPRs.
A Surprise police officer is on paid leave, and under internal investigation, after an abnormality was discovered during a LPR system audit.
In Goodyear, an officer is under criminal investigation in connection with a potential department policy violation that was also found during a system audit.
In Apache Junction, an officer resigned after investigators said he improperly used the system to locate a family member.
A Chandler police officer resigned before a formal investigation was complete after their license plate reader account was linked to unusual system usage.
The Queen Creek Town Council is scheduled to consider ways to block misuse of controversial technology that reads license plates.
On Sept. 2, leaders will weigh potential policy changes on data sharing and access. And they’ll also ponder whether to make improper system-use a crime.
The action comes as three other local law enforcement agencies — the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, Chandler and Surprise police — suspended use of license plate readers.
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The boy’s death and the pay-to-play allegations highlight questions about Arizona's congregate-care capacity for children, training for workers who care for them and oversight of providers and other contractors who hold leverage over the state simply due to their size and influence. -
Community members huddled around a small stage set up on the grass at Tucson’s Catalina Park. A sea of thin white candles twinkled in the crowd as attendees hugged each other and cried. -
In the past month, four metro Phoenix police agencies have launched investigations into potential officer misuse of automated license plate readers. And the same number of Valley cities have shut off their systems or canceled contracts. -
Reports the officers filed, their body camera videos, service calls and community interactions are all under audit. So is the South Mountain Precinct and their former squad. -
An ongoing dispute between Border Patrol and the Tohono O’odham Nation in southern Arizona continues to escalate.
