Report: Phoenix police officer said, 'If the mayor defunds the police, I'm going to shoot her'

[JonLP24]

On the afternoon of October 21, seven Phoenix police officers gathered for a briefing in a Cave Creek station when the meeting diverged into a discussion about the defund-the-police movement.

When Officer Steven Poulos expressed his thoughts, the room went quiet: "If the mayor defunds the police, I'm going to shoot her," Poulos' sergeant recalled hearing the officer say, referring to Mayor Kate Gallego.

The sergeant broke the silence, saying, "You're not going to shoot the mayor."

Poulos doubled down, "That's a promise," he responded.

https://amp.azcentral.com/amp/4062470001?__twitter_impression=true

[David__77]

1. This is a time to take names.

Lots of people are outing themselves at this time.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

10. +1

[brush]

2. That's a crime. How is this potential murderer still on the force with a gun and badge?

[sakabatou]

3. Poulos should be arrested and investigated

[3Hotdogs]

8. Nah. The union will commend him for his honesty.

Then, they will suggest he be promoted to detective.

[RockRaven]

4. Any of those six who *didn't* report this to the appropriate parties should be held accountable

All these "not all cops" pukes can back up their bullshit by showing us the reports/complaints that each and every one the other six cops present during that incident filed about their comrade who repeatedly threatened to kill the mayor.

6 documents. Let's see them..... One for each and every cop witness. Oh, what's that? They didn't all do their duty? When pressed you get "Oh, uh, well... that's not what I heard/he meant..."

How surprising!!!

[abqtommy]

5. How about investigating and arresting whoever it is that hires these scum? And how about instead

of saying "defund the police" we say "we refuse to support corruption in any form by any means"?
There's much to be done if we want to stop this murderous behavior.

[Walleye]

9. Defund the corruption

[JonLP24]

13. Those that say that though are talking about a specific set of policies

Reducing very large police budgets & spending it on social services. One thing police are not qualified to address mental health crises yet they're the first on the scene so the defund proposal is meant to address things like that.

It is surprising the idea is controversial considering we cut things all the time like transportation & education yet there is no controversy when those things are cut. On top of that it seems police can do whatever they want and no one tells them they are going too far. This isn't the first cop to threaten a Democratic politician.

[abqtommy]

15. I've never been offended by the words "defund the police" since I know exactly what that means.

In attempting to correct the excesses of policing here in the U.S. we are up against true
conservatives and by that I mean persons who are opposed to changing the status quo for any reason.

I've tried to suggest some alternative messaging to satisfy those who are sure that we made a
mistake in saying "defund the police" but that was no mistake. It sure got a lot of peoples'
attention and the push-back is what we can expect no matter how we word things.

There's a lot to do and I'm sure there are better thinkers than I am who can lay out an effective
program. I'm sure we can change some minds but not that many so we'll just have to steamroll
the rest.

Thanks for your positive thinking.

[uponit7771]

6. omg

[DFW]

7. I hope the mayor responds

"If any police officer threatens to shoot anyone not pointing a gun at him, I will have him arrested and indicted."

[Iggo]

11. And that's why he's sitting in jail right now.

Just kidding.

Of course he’s not.

[Progressive Jones]

12. Police depts. need to improve hiring standards. Nt

[gratuitous]

14. I can suggest one cost-cutting measure for the Phoenix police

And it won't hurt department readiness in the least.

[Blue Owl]

16. Excuse me Officer Poulos, but do you know who already has defunded the police?

The GOP (in their latest stimulus bill) and Donald Trump (who didn't pay his fair share in taxes, therefore denying the NYPD funds they should have received)

Now go get your gun and make things right...