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

two intertwined hands against a steamy car window

Scottsdale cop suspended 1 year for having sex in police cars

By TJ L'Heureux

Aug 26, 2025

Did Arizona’s police certification board go a little light on ex-Scottsdale cop Derok Roach for on-the-job horniness?

a door at the 4th avenue jail with the maricopa county sheriff's office seal on it

Sheriff brings back online mugshot lookup once ruled unconstitutional

By TJ L'Heureux

Aug 22, 2025

In the fall, a federal appeals court ruled that publishing mugshots of recent arrestees amounted to pretrial punishment.

body-cam footage of a flashlight being shined on a man in a car

Chicago cop sues Tempe over ‘racially discriminatory’ arrest

By TJ L'Heureux

Aug 20, 2025

Tempe cops jailed Jalen Woods, who is Black, for a street racing infraction —- even though he was sitting at a red light.

California native Turrell Clay poses for a portrait. The 33-year-old died in January after he was shot with less-lethal launchers touted by the Phoenix Police Department as a way to reduce officer shootings.

Phoenix police killed man with ‘less-lethal’ weapons, autopsy says

By Emily Holshouser

Aug 20, 2025

In January, cops hit Turrell Clay in the chest with a stun baton, damaging his heart. He died at the hospital hours later.

Phoenix introduces its new police chief: 5 takeaways

By TJ L'Heureux

Aug 14, 2025

Matt Giordano, the new Phoenix police chief, talked about repairing community relations and delivering hard news to his cops.

a hand holds a phone in front of a cop car with flashing lights

Phoenix police to use AI to answer non-emergency calls. Is that good?

By TJ L'Heureux

Aug 13, 2025

Phoenix expects the system to cut down on non-emergency call hold times, which are anecdotally atrocious.

in the style of the tombstone movie poster, jerry sheridan walks as wyatt earp alongside deputies with clown faces

The Arpaio All-Stars: Meet the county sheriff’s sketchy retreads

By Stephen Lemons

Aug 13, 2025

Jerry Sheridan claims he’s no Sheriff Joe. Still, he's brought back some of Arpaio's favorite badge-wearin' bubbas.

Tempe cop: Chief gave city officials data to harass homeless advocates

By TJ L'Heureux

Aug 8, 2025

A police commander says Chief Kenneth McCoy improperly gave city brass sensitive info to hound people feeding the unhoused.

Phoenix police officers aim their weapons at Turrell Clay as he stands on a rooftop with his arms raised in surrender in Maryvale on Jan. 10.

Phoenix cops killed a man with ‘less-lethal’ weapons. Are they unsafe?

By Emily Holshouser, Isabelle Marceles and Jamie Montoya | Cronkite News

Aug 8, 2025

Pitched as a safer way to subdue suspects, the less-lethal weapons used by Phoenix police can actually be deadly.

a young man in a backward hat that says "sharing food is not a crime"

Tempe threw a homeless advocate in jail for filming cops

By TJ L'Heureux

Aug 7, 2025

Seemingly recognizing that its cops had screwed up, Tempe later dropped the charges against unhoused advocate Austin Davis.

Phoenix police gave up on solving gay yoga teacher’s mysterious death

By Celina Jimenez | LOOKOUT

Aug 5, 2025

Marcus Freiberger was found dead a month after he went missing. Phoenix police closed his case with little explanation.

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.

Police

Everyone who was killed by Phoenix cops in 2025

Phoenix cops shoot man, wait 6 minutes to give aid

Police

Everyone who was killed by Phoenix cops in 2025

Phoenix cops shoot man, wait 6 minutes to give aid

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