Mesa PD: Two officers placed on administrative leave following another use of force incident

MESA, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Mesa Police officials said late Thursday afternoon that two offices have been placed on administrative leave, following a use of force incident that happened on May 17.

According to Nik Rasheta, the incident on May 17 happened, as officers were investigating an armed robbery and located a 15-year-old suspect, who was arrested and later charged with multiple counts, including armed robbery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. An internal investigation was initiated after a review of bodycam footage.

Rasheta did not give specific details of what happened in the May 17 incident, but said Chief Ramon Batista will hold a news conference on the incident on Friday.

Meanwhile, Mesa Police officials have released bodycam video of that incident. FOX 10 Phoenix has obtained the video, which is laced with profanity.

(WARNING: Graphic Content. Viewer Discretion Advised)

In the video, police officers were investigating an armed robbery incident at a convenience store when they came across a 15-year-old suspect near an apartment complex. According to police report, the teen was last seen carrying a gun in his pants.

Officers then approached him, and told him to keep his head down, and arms out to the side. The teen then hurled vulgar phrases multiple times to the officers, as they handcuffed him and eventually searched him for a gun.

According to the police report, officers tried to gain control of the suspect, who they say was thrashing and pulling his arms away. Police say they applied pressure behind the teen's left ear, as an officer continue to ask where the gun was located.

The teen, whose face was blurred in the video, was heard in the video yelling out in pain.

Recent use of force incidents

This latest announcement from Mesa Police came just days after a number of officers and a sergeant were placed on administrative after a use of physical force incident involving a man named Robert Johnson at a Mesa apartment complex in late May. Mesa Police released bodycam video of that incident on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Johnson spoke about the incident, during a news conference.

"I don't want this to happen to no one in particular, in this system,"said Johnson. "I want Mesa to be held accountable for what they have done."

Late Thursday afternoon, Mesa Police released the names of those placed on leave. They are identified as William Abbiatti, Ernesto Calderon, Robert Gambee, Jhonte Jones, and Rudy Monarrez. According to Rasheta, the release of names is standard protocol.