Investigation shows Buckeye PD officials improperly reported stats to show decreasing crime

BUCKEYE, Ariz. (AP) -- An outside investigation has determined a police department in a Phoenix suburb improperly reported statistics to show crime decreasing in the city.

The Copeland Investigations report released Wednesday found that Buckeye police officials mislabeled crimes to show lesser offenses.

The report notes that the city recorded a dramatic decrease in crime while its population grew and neighboring cities reported crime increases.

Four department officials were disciplined, including one officer who resigned and police chief Larry Hall who was suspended for 40 hours.

The city says in a statement that it is confident with Hall's leadership and corrections were made to the "sustained allegations."

The city says it has improved the reporting process, including amending the crimes statistics for 2016 and 2017 and reassigning officers.