Mesa Police officials release report detailing alleged criminal and sexual misconduct involving ex-officer

article

Ex-Mesa Police Officer Brian Gray (Courtesy: Mesa Police Department)

MESA, Ariz. - Mesa Police officials have released findings from an investigation that the department conducted on a person who once served as a police officer for the East Valley city.

According to a statement released on Aug. 27, Mesa Police officials say they started an internal investigation into Brian Gray, after they were notified on June 24 by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training board of alleged criminal and sexual misconduct that Gray disclosed during a background interview.

Gray, according to Mesa Police, was applying for a police officer position with a Northern Arizona law enforcement agency. The agency was not identified in the statement, but Mesa Police officials did release a memo related to the investigation, which shows that Gray was applying for a position with the Pinetop-Lakeside Police Department.

According to Mesa Police officials, some of the alleged incidents took place while Gray was a school resource officer with the department. None of the incidents, however, involved any students.

"Upon receiving this information, the Mesa Police Department Professional Standards Unit immediately initiated an internal investigation into this matter. Gray was immediately relieved of his official duties and re-assigned to his home pending the outcome of the investigation," read a portion of the statement.

Allegations include incidents dating back decades

According to police, there were four allegations made against Gray, including:

Using authority or position for financial gain or for obtaining privileges or favors: Allegedly sleeping at a school resource office between 2014 and 2020
Allegedly sleeping at a school resource office between 2014 and 2020
Conduct unbecoming: Allegedly watching adult pornography while on duet at a school resource office, which led to a sexual act between 2014 and 2020 Allegedly committing multiple sexual acts at a school resource office, some involving his wife, between 2014 and 2020 Allegedly touching a female school security guard inappropriately while at a school resource office in 2008
Allegedly watching adult pornography while on duet at a school resource office, which led to a sexual act between 2014 and 2020
Allegedly committing multiple sexual acts at a school resource office, some involving his wife, between 2014 and 2020
Allegedly touching a female school security guard inappropriately while at a school resource office in 2008
Unsatisfactory performance and/or unwilling to perform assigned job responsibilities: Allegedly not completing required academic courses while teaching as a school resource officer, and falsifying daily reports between 2013 and 2016 Allegedly sleeping while on duty during patrol graveyard shifts between 2008 and 2013
Allegedly not completing required academic courses while teaching as a school resource officer, and falsifying daily reports between 2013 and 2016
Allegedly sleeping while on duty during patrol graveyard shifts between 2008 and 2013
Arrested or indicted or commission of any criminal offense: Allegedly involving a domestic violence incident in 2018 Allegedly shooting at wildlife without a license in 2016 Allegedly failing to report truthful information about an interview he had with a suspect during court testimony in 2002 Allegedly stealing a rifle sling from his former employer in 1998, and failing to disclose the incident during his Mesa Police hiring process Allegedly touching a male and a female inappropriately during his teenage years, and failing to disclose the incidents during his Mesa Police hiring process
Allegedly involving a domestic violence incident in 2018
Allegedly shooting at wildlife without a license in 2016
Allegedly failing to report truthful information about an interview he had with a suspect during court testimony in 2002
Allegedly stealing a rifle sling from his former employer in 1998, and failing to disclose the incident during his Mesa Police hiring process
Allegedly touching a male and a female inappropriately during his teenage years, and failing to disclose the incidents during his Mesa Police hiring process

The memo contained graphic description of what happened in some of the incidents.

According to a memo dated Aug. 11, Mesa Police officials say the four allegations against Gray were deemed "sustained."

Police: Gray filed for retirement in July

According to officials, Gray submitted a request to retire through the Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System on July 15. Police say a disciplinary hearing was scheduled for July 19, but Gray did not attend the hearing, nor did he provide a written response.

"On August 18, 2021, Gray voluntarily relinquished his Arizona peace officer certification through AZ POST. Gray is no longer employed by the Mesa Police Department," read a portion of the statement.

Police officials say Gray's decision to submit his intent to retire had "no bearing on the internal investigation or the decision to recommend termination."

"Gray’s conduct has stripped away the trust and confidence that is required to carry out the duties and responsibilities of a Mesa Police Officer," Mesa Police Chief Ed Wessing said in the statement.