Protesters call for firing of Tempe officer

A group of people are calling for the firing of a Tempe Police Officer. That officer has been pulled from patrol following an internal investigation into his actions on the job.

The officer arrested suspects under SB1070 a controversial law that allows officers to question people about their immigration status during lawful stops. Prosecutors claim the officer abused his power and wrongfully profiled dozens of Hispanics.

Protesters gathered in front of the Tempe Police headquarters asking for the City of Tempe to fire Officer David Lewis.

Protesters held up tickets marked SB1070 compliant. They claim the officer misused the law to stop people he suspected were in the country illegally.

"They have to lawfully stop somebody, but they aren't lawfully stop somebody because they haven't committed a traffic infraction," said Dr. Sylvia Herrera.

Tempe Police conducted an internal investigation and found that Lewis stopped more drivers for not having licenses, and turned many over to immigration authorities at a higher rate than any other officer. However the department says they didn't find any misconduct.

"At this time we do not have enough evidence that he was violating people's rights," said Lt. Mike Pooley.

Still the department re-assigned the officer from the street and assigned him to a desk job.

"We don't want them to think we are covering up for an officer if we find this officer was doing something wrong we are going to address it," said Lt. Pooley.

Protesters, however, are unsatisfied with that answer.

The Tempe Police Assistant Chief met with the organizers, and the department forwarded the case to the FBI and the Department of Justice, but both agencies declined to investigate further.