Use of Force Summary Second Quarter

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Chandler Police Department - PSS Memo No. 24-0025

Date: September 17, 2024
To: Bryan Chapman, Chief of Police
Thru: Melissa Deanda, Assistant Chief of Policeyw)

Michael Prendergast, PSS Lieutenant
Aaron Lowe, PSS Sergeant aw

From: Jeffrey Fox, PSS Detective
Subject: Use of Force Review, 2"4 Quarter 2024
Procedure

e Please sign below acknowledging your review of the report.

e Forward through the chain of command and return to the Professional Standards

Section,
Signature Date
Avo RIL 4-20-24
PSS Sergeant

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PSS Lietitenant

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Assistant Chief

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Professional Standards Section shall
maintain inspection files and reports.

Background

The Chandler Police Department recognizes the current Arizona statutory law dictating that
“no unnecessary or unreasonable force shail be used in making an arrest, and the person
arrested shall not be subjected to any greater restraint than necessary for his detention.”
The Chandler Police Department stipulates officers must adhere to their training unless the
situation justifies a deviation from that training.”

The Chandler Police Department began to utilize the Use of Force Review Board in 2008 to
ensure the proper documentation of all applications of force, evaluate those applications
for adherence to established policy, and determine any additional training needs.? The
board meets monthly to evaluate the prior month's incidents, and quarterly reviews are
prepared to share information and findings with the Citizen Review Panel.

This analysis contains use of force statistics for the second quarter of 2024 to identify
prevalent trends or deficiencies per the current CALEA standard.‘ In addition to an internal
comparative analysis, this report will illustrate training issues that emerged throughout the
quarter, as well as the number and general nature of injuries sustained by personnel and
suspects.

2024 Second Quarter Review

The Chandler Police Department logged 2254 arrests during the second quarter of 2024,
yielding a total of twenty (20) incidents resulting in a use of force by Chandler Police Officers
to effect an arrest or detain a subject under reasonable suspicion or probable cause.

During the 2™ Quarter of 2024, only 0.8% of arrests by Chandler Police officers resulted in a
Use of Force.

All reportable incidents were reviewed by the Use of Force Review Board. The board meets
monthly to determine if the applications of force are justified in accordance with the policies
of the Chandler Police Department.

The following tables document the twenty (20) incidents reviewed by the board for the
months of April, May, and June of 2024. It includes the types of force used and dispositions.
In some incidents there were multiple applications of force used by various officers. For this
reason, there were thirty-seven (37) distinct applications of force.

TARS § 13-3881.B

2 CPD G.O, E-01.200.B.3
3 CPD G.O, E-01.400.E.1
4 CALEA 1.3.13

Type of Force Used Second Quarter 2024

Force Used Applications Additional Details
Low Level Force 40 Take downs, pressure points, Hard
hands, bolo wrap, etc.
. K9 bite, fist strikes, knee strikes, kicks,
Intermediate Force 27 less lethal, CEW, impact push, etc.
Total 37

Total Force Used Second Quarter 2024

Total Arrests Force Used | Percentage
2254 20 0.8%

Use of Force Demographics by Race/Gender/Age

Number Race Gender Age Average %
Range Age
8 White Male 22-57 38 40%
6 Black Male 17-55 39 30%
1 Black Female 26 26 5%
4 Hispanic Male 38-47 44 20%
1 Native American Male 35 35 5%

(20 total subjects in use of force incidents)
Policy Violations/Reviews

in the second quarter of 2024 there were no use of force incidents referred to Internal
Affairs.

Training Issues
In the second quarter of 2024 there were no training issues identified.
Injuries
In the second quarter of 2024, three (3) officers were injured during use of force incidents.
The injuries sustained by officers were mostly minor in nature, generally consisting of
sprains, abrasions, cuts, or bruising. Most of the officer's injuries appeared to stem from

body-to-body contact, takedown techniques, struggling to handcuff suspects on hard
surfaces or from direct assaults on the officers themselves.

Twenty (20) suspects were injured, or complained of injury, during the use of force
incidents. Most of these injuries were minor in nature, consisting of lacerations, abrasions,
contusions, complaints of pain, and CEW puncture wounds.

Injured officers and suspects received medical attention when requested, Medical
treatment was either provided on scene or at a hospital for more extensive care or

evaluation.

Total Injuries When Force Used Second Quarter 2024

Suspects/Detainees | Officers Total
20 3 23

Emotionally Disturbed/Impaired

Sixteen (16) subjects involved in use of force incidents were found to be emotionally
disturbed, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or a combination of impairments.

Conclusion

The reported types of use of force incidents during the second quarter of 2024 indicate
officers used the appropriate level of force to effect the arrest of suspects. This illustrates
that the use of force policy, defensive tactics training, board reviews, and overall
departmental philosophy are aligned with established case law, statutory regulations, and
the principles of community-oriented policing.

Incident Review Summaries

Date of Occurrence: 4/9/2024

Time of Occurrence: 1537 hours

Incident Report: 24-40273

Personnel Involved: Officer Cameron Wofford #839

Force Used: Take Down
Subject Actions: Pulled away from officer
Summary:

On April 9, 2024, at 1537 hours Ofc. Wofford responded to 2175 N. Alma School Rd. to assist
with a vehicle stop conducted by other officers.

Once on scene, Ofc. Wofford made contact with the vehicle which was occupied by multiple
subjects. During the investigation, it was determined that one of the subjects in the vehicle had
a felony warrant. Ater telling the occupants to get out of the vehicle, one male subject in the
rear of the vehicle was identified and refused to exit the vehicle.

After the male continued to reuse to exit the vehicle, Ofc. Wofford grabbed the male’s arm and
the male then complied by exiting the vehicle under Ofc. Wofford’s control. Once outside the
vehicle, the male attempted to pull away form Ofc. Wofford and attempted to run. Ofc. Wofford
then took the male to the ground and the male reached into his waistband and would not put
his hands behind his back.

The male eventually complied and was put into handcuffs. The male received small scrapes
from the takedown but did not need medical attention on scene.

Charges on suspect:
Civil traffic violation
Arrest Warrants

Injuries:
Scrapes

Incident Review Summaries

Date of Occurrence: 4/10/2024

Time of Occurrence: 1415 hours

Incident Report: 24-40616

Personnel Involved: Officer Marcello Camacho #749

Force Used: Pepper Spray
Subject Actions: Threw items at officer
Summary:

On April 10, 2024 at 1415 hours, Ofc. Camacho responded to 222 S. Jesse St. to assist with a
combative male subject at this location.

Once on scene, Ofc. Camacho made contact with the combative male inside the home. The
male was naked on the floor and did not have the use of his legs.

The male immediately started making threats to the officers on scene and would not follow
officer commands. The male then threw a piece of broken ceramic vase at Ofc. Camacho.

Ofc. Camacho then sprayed the male in the face with his pepper spray and the male became
compliant. The male was then put into handcuffs.

The male was checked by Chandier Fire personnel on scene. He had no further injuries.

Charges on suspect:
None

Injuries:
Pepper spray exposure

Incident Review Summaries

Date of Occurrence: 4/16/2024

Time of Occurrence: 1355 hours

Incident Report: 24-43078

Personnel Involved: Officer Nicole Upshaw #748

Force Used: Take Down
Subject Actions: Pulled away from officer
Summary:

On April 16, 2024 at 1355 hours, Ofc. Upshaw responded to 200 E. Chicago St. to assist with a
disruptive make subject at this location.

Once on scene, Ofc. Upshaw made contact with the male who was demanding to see a judge
about his case. The male was told he could wait in the lobby, however; could not go to the
second floor.

The male walked to the elevator and attempted to enter the elevator to go to the second floor.
Ofc. Upshaw gave him commands to stop, but the male did not comply. Ofc. Upshaw then
grabbed the male to attempt to escort him out of the building. The male started to pull away
from Ofc. Upshaw and she took the male to the ground and placed him in handcuffs.

The male sustained a scratch behind his left ear during the take down and did not need medical
attention on scene.

Charges on suspect:
Disorderly Conduct/Interfering with duties of a public official

Injuries:
Scratch to the head

Incident Review Summaries

Date of Occurrence: 5/3/2024

Time of Occurrence: 1428 hours

Incident Report: 24-50141

Personnel Involved: Officer Tyler Mohney #841

Force Used: Pepper Ball
Subject Actions: Non-compliance with commands
Summary:

On May 3, 2024 at approximately 1428 hours, officers responded to a disorder at Chandler Blvd.
and Ray Rd. This incident generated a 911 call where the reporting party stated the suspect was
waving a firearm at him in traffic. As Ofc. Mohney arrived on scene, there were already multiple
officers contacting the suspect vehicle. A high-risk stop was initiated at this time.

Officer Mohney responded to the scene and deployed with his pepper ball system to assist
officers on scene. Ofc. Mohney saw the suspect exit his vehicle without being ordered to do so.
The suspect then refused to follow officer’s commands to place his hands on his head and as
the suspect reached toward his waistline, Ofc. Mohney fired one pepper ball round into the
torso of the suspect. The male immediately complied after being stuck with a pepper ball round.
The suspect was successfully apprehended and placed into handcuffs.

The suspect received one single abrasion to his let ribcage area. The suspect was photographed
at the scene. Medical attention was refused by the suspect.

Charges on suspect:
Disorderly Conduct/drug paraphernalia

Injuries:
Abrasion to left abdomen

Incident Review Summaries

Date of Occurrence: 5/5/2024

Time of Occurrence: 2021 hours

Incident Report: 24-51149

Personnel Involved: Officer Destiny Richardson #805

Force Used: Take Down
Subject Actions: Non-compliance with commands, aggressive behavior
Summary:

On May 5, 2024 at approximately 2021 hours, officers made contact with a disorderly subject at
1430 S. Arizona Ave. The reporting party stated the subject was driving in the parking lot and
got out of his vehicle and punched his car.

Upon making contact with the driver, officers smelled an odor of alcohol coming from the
subject’s person and the male was agitated and yelling with slurred speech.

Ofc. Richardson responded to the scene to conduct a DUI investigation. After testing the
subject, he was arrested for DUI and handcuffed. The subject was placed in the rear seat of Ofc.
Richardson’s vehicle at that time. The subject then began banging his head against the rear
divider of her car and attempted to slide his cuffed hands to the front of his body.

The suspect was then removed from the car and taken to the ground to secure the handcuffs.
The male was seen with a scape to his head after this incident.

The subject denied any medical attention, but photographs of his injuries were taken by iD
technicians.

Charges on suspect:
Aggravated DUI/DUI Drugs/Extreme DUI!

Injuries:
Abrasion to head

Incident Review Summaries

Date of Occurrence: 5/6/2024

Time of Occurrence: 1639 hours

Incident Report: 24-51483

Personnel Involved: Officer Vanessa Vela #875

Force Used: Take Down, Taser
Subject Actions: Non-compliance with commands, pushed officers
Summary:

On May 6, 2024 at approximately 1639 hours, detention officers were performing their duties at
the Gilbert-Chandler Unified Holding Facility at 75 E. Civic Center Dr., Gibert.

Officers were processing a suspect in custody at this facility. Upon making contact with the
suspect and uncuffing him from the waiting area bench, the subject became aggressive with
officers and struck one officer in the face and pushed other officers on scene. Ofc. Vela
deployed her CEW and delivered two drive stuns to the upper leg of the suspect as the suspect
struggled with officers on scene and refused to be compliant for handcuffing. Detention
Supervisor Whitworth then took the suspect to the ground and placed him in handcuffs.

The suspect complained of a chipped tooth at the scene. The suspect was photographed at the
scene. Medical attention was refused by the suspect at that time. Officers sustained scratches
and abrasions from the suspects active resistance.

Charges on suspect:
Aggravated Assault Ofc/ Assault/ Crim Damage/ Disorderly Conduct

Injuries:
Chipped tooth

Incident Review Summaries

Date of Occurrence: 5/6/2024

Time of Occurrence: 1639 hours

Incident Report: 24-51483

Personnel Involved: Detention Supervisor Andrew Whitworth

Force Used: Take Down, Taser
Subject Actions: Non-compliance with commands, pushed officers
Summary:

On May 6, 2024 at approximately 1639 hours, detention officers were performing their duties at
the Gilbert-Chandler Unified Holding Facility at 75 E. Civic Center Dr., Gibert.

Officers were processing a suspect in custody at this facility. Upon making contact with the
suspect and uncuffing him from the waiting area bench, the subject became aggressive with
officers and struck one officer in the face and pushed other officers on scene. Ofc. Vela
deployed her CEW and delivered two drive stuns to the upper leg of the suspect as the suspect
struggled with officers on scene and refused to be compliant for handcuffing. Detention
Supervisor Whitworth then took the suspect to the ground and placed him in handcuffs.

The suspect complained of a chipped tooth at the scene. The suspect was photographed at the
scene. Medical attention was refused by the suspect at that time. Officers sustained scratches
and abrasions from the suspects active resistance.

Charges on suspect:
Aggravated Assault Ofc/ Assault/ Crim Damage/ Disorderly Conduct

Injuries:
Chipped tooth

Incident Review Summaries

Date of Occurrence: 5/7/2024

Time of Occurrence: 0904 hours

Incident Report: 24-51737

Personnel Involved: Officer Kevin Tomaszewski #761

Force Used: Taser, Knee Strikes
Subject Actions: Non-compliance with commands, Resisting Arrest
Summary:

On May 7, 2024 at approximately 0904 hours, officers made contact with a suspicious vehicle at
Tumbleweed Park. The vehicle was parked in a parking lot at the location and was occupied by
two people.

Upon making contact with the male driver, officers observed drug paraphernalia in plain view
and asked the driver to exit the vehicle. The driver was non-compliant and upon exiting the
vehicle, the driver became aggressive with officers. When officers gave verbal commands to
place his hands behind his back, he refused and officers grabbed the suspect. The suspect
tensed up and tried to turn towards officers while yelling at them. Ofc. Tomaszewski gave
multiple verbal commands for the male to stop resisting and he eventually delivered multiple
knee strikes to the suspect’s leg. The suspect was taken to a kneeling position while officers
tried to handcuff him.

The male continued to actively resist and Ofc. O’Neill deployed his taser (CEW). One taser
cartridge was fired into the suspects back, but only one probe made contact with the suspect
and did not have the desired effect. Ofc. O’Neill then conducted a drive-stun to the lower back
of the male and he was placed into handcuffs.

The suspect was treated at the scene for the taser probe puncture and transported to the
hospital for medical assessment. Photographs were taken of his injuries.

Charges on suspect:
Possession of Drugs/Drug Paraphernalia/ Resisting Arrest/Tampering with Evidence

Injuries:
Taser Probe Puncture

Incident Review Summaries

Date of Occurrence: 5/7/2024

Time of Occurrence: 0904 hours

Incident Report: 24-51737

Personnel involved: Officer James O’Neill #586

Force Used: Taser, Knee Strikes
Subject Actions: Non-compliance with commands, Resisting Arrest
Summary:

On May 7, 2024 at approximately 0904 hours, officers made contact with a suspicious vehicle at
Tumbleweed Park. The vehicle was parked in a parking lot at the location and was occupied by
two people.

Upon making contact with the male driver, officers observed drug paraphernalia in plain view
and asked the driver to exit the vehicle. The driver was non-compliant and upon exiting the
vehicle, the driver became aggressive with officers. When officers gave verbal commands to
place his hands behind his back, he refused and officers grabbed the suspect. The suspect
tensed up and tried to turn towards officers while yelling at them. Ofc. Tomaszewski gave
multiple verbal commands for the male to stop resisting and he eventually delivered multiple
knee strikes to the suspect’s leg. The suspect was taken to a kneeling position while officers
tried to handcuff him. ‘

The male continued to actively resist and Ofc. O’Neill deployed his taser (CEW). One taser
cartridge was fired into the suspects back, but only one probe made contact with the suspect
and did not have the desired effect. Ofc. O’Neill then conducted a drive-stun to the lower back
of the male and he was placed into handcuffs.

The suspect was treated at the scene for the taser probe puncture and transported to the
hospital for medical assessment. Photographs were taken of his injuries.

Charges on suspect:
Possession of Drugs/Drug Paraphernalia/ Resisting Arrest/Tampering with Evidence

Injuries:
Taser Probe Puncture

Incident Review Summaries

Date of Occurrence: 5/9/2024

Time of Occurrence: 1238 hours

Incident Report: 24-52642

Personnel Involved: Sergeant Zachary Waters #5140

Force Used: Taser
Subject Actions: Non-compliance with commands, aggressive behavior
Summary:

On May 9, 2024 at approximately 1238 hours, officers made contact with a mentally disturbed
subject at 1709 E. Lynx Pl. The officers were there to serve a mental health pickup order.

Upon making contact with the subject in the front yard of the residence, the subject was
ordered to not move but began walking away from officers. Sgt. Waters grabbed the subject but
the subject resisted and was taken to the ground and handcuffed.

The subject had abrasions to both knees from the take down in the gravel of the front yard.

The subject denied any medical attention, but photographs of his Injuries were taken at the
scene.

Charges on suspect:
None

Injuries:
Abrasion to knees

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Incident Review Summaries

Date of Occurrence: 5/18/2024

Time of Occurrence: 1957 hours

Incident Report: 24-56518

Personnel Involved: Officer Cody McKenna #695

Force Used: Restraint Techniques
Subject Actions: Non-compliance with commands
Summary:

On May 18th, 2024 at approximately 1957 hours, Ofc. McKenna was on bike patrol! at Harris
Park located at 150 E Morelos St. Ofc. McKenna noticed a subject sitting on a park bench who
he believed was smoking narcotics. .

Upon making contact with the subject, the subject quickly dropped the items in his hands and
quickly put both hands in his pocket. The subject then stood up quickly toward Ofc. McKenna
after he ordered the subject to stop what he was doing.

Ofc. McKenna then wrapped his arms around the subject’s head area and forced the subject
back into a seated position. The subject was then handcuffed with the help of other officers.
The suspect complained of nose pain and sustained a small scratch on his nose from the
Incident.

Chandler Fire responded and treated the subject at the scene.

Charges on suspect:
Possession of Narcotics/Paraphernalia

Injuries:
Scratch to nose

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Incident Review Summaries

Date of Occurrence: 5/19/2024

Time of Occurrence: 1310 hours

Incident Report: 24-56741

Personnel Involved: Officer Kevin Tomaszewski #761

Force Used: Taser, Pepper Ball
Subject Actions: Non-compliance with commands, barricaded subject
Summary:

On May 19, 2024 at approximately 1310 hours, officers made contact with a subject
experiencing mental health issues at 825 W. Calle Del Norte. The officers were dispatched to
this residence after the subject assaulted his mother.

Upon making contact with subject in the front yard, the subject retreated into the rear bedroom
of the residence and barricaded himself.

The subject was non-compliant and refused to exit and comply with commands. The subject
had access to nearby weapons and officers staged at the door to the bedroom.

Ofc. Tomaszewski deployed his Pepper Ball gun multiple times in order to encourage the subject
to exit the closet he was hiding in. The subject exited and returned to the closet multiple times
during this incident.

During one of the instances where the subject exited the closet, Ofc. Riley was able to deploy
his Taser (CEW) which made contact with the subject and it caused Neuro-muscular
Incapacitation (NMI) which allowed officers to safely close in on the subject and take him into
custody without issue.

The subject was treated at the scene by Chandler Fire Department for exposure to Pepper Ball
and Taser puncture wounds.

Charges on suspect:
None

Injuries:
Taser Probe Puncture

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Incident Review Summaries

Date of Occurrence: 5/19/2024

Time of Occurrence: 1310 hours

Incident Report: 24-56741

Personnel Involved: Officer Joshua Riley #725

Force Used: Taser, Pepper Ball
Subject Actions: Non-compliance with commands, barricaded subject
Summary:

On May 19, 2024 at approximately 1310 hours, officers made contact with a subject
experiencing mental health issues at 825 W. Calle Del Norte. The officers were dispatched to
this residence after the subject assaulted his mother.

Upon making contact with subject in the front yard, the subject retreated into the rear bedroom
of the residence and barricaded himself.

The subject was non-compliant and refused to exit and comply with commands. The subject
had access to nearby weapons and officers staged at the door to the bedroom.

Ofc. Tomaszewski deployed his Pepper Ball gun multiple times in order to encourage the subject
to exit the closet he was hiding in. The subject exited and returned to the closet multiple times
during this incident.

During one of the instances where the subject exited the closet, Ofc. Riley was able to deploy
his Taser (CEW) which made contact with the subject and it caused Neuro-muscular
Incapacitation (NMI) which allowed officers to safely close in on the subject and take him into
custody without issue.

The subject was treated at the scene by Chandler Fire Department for exposure to Pepper Ball
and Taser puncture wounds.

Charges on suspect:
None

Injuries:
Taser Probe Puncture

13

Incident Review Summaries

Date of Occurrence: 5/22/2024

Time of Occurrence: 2317 hours

Incident Report: 24-58274

Personnel Involved: Officer Jon Castlegrante #768

Force Used: Take Down
Subject Actions: Non-compliance with commands, ran from officer
Summary:

On May 22nd, 2024, at approximately 2317 hours, Ofc. Castlegrante observed a vehicle whose
driver had a suspended driver's license at 1010 E. Chandler Blvd.

Upon making a traffic stop on the vehicle, the subject was ordered to exit the vehicle for officer
safety. During a pat down for weapons, Ofc. Castlegrante felt a hard cylindrical object from the

outside of the subject's pocket. The subject quickly put his hand in his pocket and ran from Ofc.
Castlegrante.

Ofc. Castlegrante chased the subject on foot and tackled the subject to the ground and placed
him in handcuffs.

The suspect had abrasions to his elbows and knees from the take down and one small abrasion
above his right eye.

The subject was treated at the scene by Chandler Fire for the injuries and photographs were
taken at the scene.

Charges on suspect:
Possession of Narcotics/ Possession of Dangerous Drug/ Paraphernalia/Resisting Arrest

Injuries:
Abrasions

14

Incident Review Summaries

Date of Occurrence: 5/23/2024

Time of Occurrence: 2035 hours

Incident Report: 24-58617

Personnel Involved: Officer David Dalen #884

Force Used: Take Down, knee strike
Subject Actions: Non-compliance with commands, assault on officer
Summary:

On May 23, 2024 at approximately 2035 hours, Ofc. Dalen was dispatched to 155 E. Frye Rd.
regarding a domestic dispute.

Upon making contact with the subjects at the house, investigation revealed there was probable
cause for arresting a female involved in the incident. Upon attempting to place the female in
handcuffs, the female resisted Ofc. Dalen and hit him in the face.

Ofc. Dalen punched the female in the face and took her to the ground. Once on the ground, the
female continued to resist and Ofc. Dalen delivered a knee strike to her torso. The female was

eventually handcuffed and transported

The suspect had no Injuries from the incident but was photographed at the scene. The female
declined any medical treatment.

Charges on suspect:
Aggravated Assault Officer

Injuries:
None

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Incident Review Summaries

Date of Occurrence: 6/2/2024

Time of Occurrence: 0227 hours

Incident Report: 24-62357

Personnel Involved: Officer Erubey Ponce #892

Force Used: Impact Push, Take Down, Taser
Subject Actions: Non-compliance with commands, slapped officer in face
Summary:

On June 2, 2024 at approximately 0227 hours, Ofc. Ponce responded to 222 W, Boston St.
regarding a noise disturbance at the pool area. The reporting party stated there were multiple
people throwing items at residents’ windows and causing a noise disturbance.

Upon arrival on the scene multiple officers entered the pool area and ordered the noisy crowd
to leave the area. Multiple people complied at that time.

One of the males from the party became argumentative with officers on scene and yelled in the
face of officers. Ofc. Ponce used an impact push to gain separation from the aggressive male
and the male then slapped Ofc. Ponce in the face. Ofc. Ponce then took the male to the ground
where the male resisted arrest by pinning his arms under his body. The male was given
commands to place his arms behind his back, but did not comply, Ofc. Ponce then deployed his
CEW and delivered a single, five second drive stun to the back of the male. The male then
compiled and the male was placed into handcuffs.

The suspect complained of back pain and Ofc. Ponce had swelling to his face and neck, along
with a scratch to his cheek.

Chandler Fire responded and treated the subject at the scene. The subject was then booked
into jail.
Charges on suspect:

Aggravated Assault Officer/ Disorderly Conduct

Injuries:
Subject-Back Pain
Officer swelling to his face and neck, along with a scratch to his cheek

16