Phoenix New Times | The Leading Independent News Source in Phoenix, Arizona

In Phoenix, a routine traffic stop can still get you deported

By Celina Jiménez

Jul 31, 2025

Phoenix police say they do little about immigration enforcement. But contacting them can also mean landing on ICE’s radar.

an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper speaks to a man in a white shirt and hat

He called 911 after a fender bender. A state trooper called ICE

By Morgan Fischer

Jul 30, 2025

A green card applicant got uncomfortably close to deportation after he got clipped on the highway earlier this month.

Sheriff’s office court-ordered community meeting goes off the rails

By Morgan Fischer

Jul 17, 2025

Supporters and detractors of the sheriff’s office clashed, with one allegedly telling another to “go back to Mexico.”

a flgiht path of a helicopter showing it spelling "ALEX"

Phoenix police chopper writes the name ‘ALEX’ in middle of the night

By TJ L'Heureux

Jul 11, 2025

Who is Alex? And was buzzing a Maryvale neighborhood in the middle of the night worth the flight of spelling fancy?

Tolleson police defend student-punching cop, attack district officials

By Morgan Fischer

Jul 10, 2025

After smacking a student in the face, Tolleson cop Eric Hendrix was booted from his post as a school resource officer.

Kris Mayes says it's ‘bullshit’ that ICE agents wear masks

By Morgan Fischer

Jul 8, 2025

Masked agents are abducting people left and right. “Real lawmen and women don’t wear masks,” the Arizona attorney general said.

What to know about new Phoenix police chief Matt Giordano

By TJ L'Heureux

Jul 8, 2025

After months of searching, Phoenix picked someone to lead its embattled police force. Here’s what to know about the new chief.

Former Phoenix restaurant owner's winery burns down in Willcox

By Sara Crocker

Jul 8, 2025

The vineyard's tasting room is a "total loss." Previously, the owner filed for bankruptcy and was sued by staff in Phoenix.

Tolleson police barred from local schools after cop punched kid in face

By Morgan Fischer

Jun 26, 2025

In September, police officer Eric Hendrix repeatedly punched and kicked a student at Tolleson High School.

a hand holding a phone that is getting a call from an unknown number

Fake sheriff’s deputies are scamming people on the phone: What to know

By Morgan Fischer

Jun 25, 2025

A man posing as a sheriff's deputy bilked $800 from a woman by claiming he had a warrant for her arrest for missed jury duty.

two intertwined hands against a steamy car window

Ex-Scottsdale cop investigated for getting freaky in police cars

By TJ L'Heureux

Jun 23, 2025

Former Scottsdale Sgt. Derok Roach may have his law enforcement license yanked after his alleged sexual escapades.

A person's leg is blistered and raw, lying against hospital bedding.

Woman suffers gnarly burns on hot pavement, sues Phoenix PD

By TJ L'Heureux

Jun 19, 2025

Phoenix officers pressed the woman onto unshaded pavement last June. They say she resisted arrest. Video suggests otherwise.

a woman speaks into a microphone in a meeting room setting

Phoenix’s police chief candidate forum was actually kinda good

By TJ L'Heureux

Jun 17, 2025

After starting the search over, Phoenix interviewed three new police chief hopefuls. It went better than the first time.

joe arpaio blows out candles on a birthday cake

We went to Joe Arpaio’s birthday. So did serial murderer Sammy Gravano

By Stephen Lemons

Jun 17, 2025

The notorious former county sheriff celebrated his 93rd birthday on Saturday. We went so you didn’t have to.

A protester confronts Phoenix police in riot gear just before an 8 p.m. curfew during Black Lives Matter protests in May 2020.

Victims of Phoenix police don’t buy that cops can reform themselves

By Emma Lucille Bradford | Cronkite News

Jun 16, 2025

Phoenix says it will reform its police without federal oversight. People mistreated by cops will believe it when they see it.

a illustrated silhouette of a bike on the ground with blood around it, under a spotlight

Stopped on a bike, killed by a Phoenix cop: Inside a family's grief

By TJ L'Heureux

Jun 11, 2025

In May 2024, police killed a man they stopped for a bike light infraction. Exactly what happened remains a bit of a mystery.

ICE raids hit Valley businesses and neighborhoods: What we’ve seen

By TJ L'Heureux and Morgan Fischer

Jun 10, 2025

Immigration agents hit West Valley businesses and also descended on a house, where some protesters scuffled with police.

body-camera footage showing a man with a sleeveless shirt and tattoos down his arms squaring up to fight

Video: Enraged man berates and fights cop after traffic stop, gets shot

By TJ L'Heureux

Jun 6, 2025

“Your dick’s all tiny and shit and everybody knows it,” Sam Perone yelled at a Phoenix cop who pulled him over.

a woman in a t-shirt that has a picture of her dead son

3 years after cops let her son drown, Tempe woman demands city do more

By TJ L'Heureux

May 29, 2025

Sean Bickings drowned in Tempe Town Lake in 2022 as two police officers watched. His mom wants more safety measures.

Cop board punishes Phoenix sergeant for DUI, likely ending his career

By TJ L'Heureux

May 23, 2025

An oversight board handed the 20-year Phoenix police veteran a year-long suspension and disciplined five other Arizona cops.

Police

Tempe threw homeless advocate in jail for filming cops

Phoenix cops gave up on solving gay yoga teacher’s death

Police

Tempe threw homeless advocate in jail for filming cops

Phoenix cops gave up on solving gay yoga teacher’s death

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