On August 21, 2006, Sgt. Pete Wechsler produced a memo alleging falsified scores in a PPD testing process. Three years later, on July 31, 2009, PLEA followed up on this allegation with PSB. PLEA wanted to determine if Department policy (Ops Order 3.19.1.A) requiring a thorough investigation was adhered to. A letter of concern was sent to the Professional Standards Bureau by PLEA. On September 14, 2009, the Department notified PLEA that policy was not followed and no investigation was conducted – only a memorandum by then Lt. Dave Harvey was produced to document “ineffective record keeping.”
On December 6 2010, PLEA contacted AzPost to communicate our concern that PPD management was not abiding by their own misconduct investigation policy by failing to address an allegation of police management untruthfulness. On January 5, 2011, AzPost notified PLEA that they do not “dictate investigative protocols to agencies.” – translation: AzPost will not hold police management accountable to the same standards as rank-and-file officers and deputies. As a result, PLEA and the APA (Arizona Police Association) submitted the attached legislation which allows law enforcement employee associations the ability to make direct complaints to AzPost. This legislation is a clear way to communicate our commitment to help police management throughout the State to adhere to the same integrity standards required from rank-and-file law enforcement personnel. Legislative support for this bill is encouraging.