\u201cSince becoming chief\u2026 I have been clear about the standards of accountability and professionalism expected of every member of this department,\u201d Giordano said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cDiscipline is not about punishment \u2014 it is about correcting behavior. When behavior can be corrected, we take that path. But when an employee\u2019s conduct is so serious that continued employment might no longer be viable, the matter proceeds through the Loudermill process.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Background of the investigation<\/b><\/p>\n
Mullen had been on administrative leave<\/a> since the incident gained national attention.<\/p>\n Video footage from the protest appeared to show Mullen, who was not in uniform at the time, engaging in a heated verbal exchange with students. The encounter prompted an internal investigation by the Phoenix Police Department and a separate probe by the Chandler Police Department.<\/p>\n While Mullen was off duty during the incident, Giordano emphasized that the badge carries weight regardless of whether an officer is on a shift.<\/p>\n \u201cHis actions raised significant concerns about judgment and professionalism,\u201d Giordano said. \u201cAlthough he was off duty and not in uniform, the oath we take binds us to a higher standard.\u201d<\/p>\n Legal battles and community trust<\/b><\/p>\n The firing comes amid a backdrop of legal maneuvering. Earlier this year, Mullen\u2019s attorney demanded the department reinstate the sergeant<\/a>, arguing that his actions were protected by the First Amendment and that the department\u2019s response was politically motivated.<\/p>\n However, community members and activists called for swifter action, citing the need for police accountability in the wake of the Department of Justice\u2019s ongoing civil rights investigation into the Phoenix Police Department.<\/p>\n A Maricopa County Superior Court judge recently presided over a hearing regarding the protest<\/a>, where the conduct of both the protesters and those counter-protesting, including Mullen, was scrutinized.<\/p>\n Giordano\u2019s statement on Thursday leaned heavily on the department\u2019s need to repair its relationship with the Phoenix community.<\/p>\n \u201cCommunity trust is not something we are owed; it is something we earn every day,\u201d Giordano said. \u201cAddressing misconduct swiftly and fairly is essential to maintaining that trust.\u201d<\/p>\n The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA), the union representing Phoenix officers, has not yet commented on whether they will appeal the chief\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n Follow @veenstra_david<\/a><\/p>\n We want to hear from you.<\/p>\n Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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