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Phoenix police have finally identified the officer who allegedly roughed up Phoenix City Councilman Michael Johnson early this morning as Brian Authement, 27, and police officials say he will remain on duty — for now, anyway.
Department spokesman Trent Crump says Authement might even go back to work tonight, despite the media circus he created by allegedly handcuffing and throwing Johnson — a retired 20-year police veteran — to the ground as he tried to help a neighbor whose house was burning down.
Crump tells New Times that Authement works the graveyard shift at the South Mountain Precinct and he has been a member of the force since March 2008.
The department had considered putting Authement on administrative leave because he had been up all day dealing the aftermath of the Johnson incident.
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Crump says no action will be taken in the matter until police have a chance to complete a full investigation.
