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Phoenix Police Fire Sergeant Over Off-Duty Plan to Provoke Student Protesters

The firing tests how departments police off-duty political acts by their own officers.

Overview

  • Chief Matt Giordano terminated Sgt. Dusten Mullen on Thursday after a Loudermill meeting, a required pre-termination hearing that lets public employees respond.
  • Body camera video released by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office shows Mullen, off duty, masked and armed at a Hamilton High walkout, telling a Chandler officer he planned to let students assault him so police could arrest them.
  • A teenager accused of splashing water on Mullen during the January protest was arrested that day, and prosecutors later declined to file charges.
  • Mullen moved in federal court on Thursday for a temporary restraining order and injunction to block the firing, arguing the investigation was rushed and that cell phone video he provided was not fairly weighed.
  • He can still appeal his termination to the City of Phoenix Civil Service Board as the federal case continues over whether his conduct counted as protected speech or policy violations.