Phoenix police officers placed on leave after traffic stop sparked wrongdoing accusations

Published August 17, 2026 5:48 PM MST

Phoenix Police say two of their officers have been placed on administrative leave, as the department looks into "accusations from community
members alleging criminal conduct."

What we know:

In a statement released on Aug. 17, Phoenix Police say based on preliminary information, the incident stems from a traffic stop that happened at around 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 5 in South Phoenix.

"During the traffic stop, force was used by the officers and not reported as required by policy, including the failure to activate their body‑worn cameras," read a portion of the statement. "Although details remain limited at this early stage, we recognize the seriousness of any allegation involving potential criminal behavior by our personnel."

What we don't know:

Phoenix Police did not identify the two officers allegedly involved. Police also didn't get into what allegedly happened during the traffic stop.

What they're saying:

"Our Special Investigations Detail is conducting a criminal investigation into these allegations," Phoenix Police officials wrote. "In accordance with protocol, once the criminal investigation is completed, the Professional Standards Bureau will initiate an administrative investigation. These processes are intended to ensure a thorough, impartial, and comprehensive review of the incident."

Emblem of the Phoenix Police Department

The Source: Information for this article was gathered from a statement released by the Phoenix Police Department.

Crime and Public SafetySouth PhoenixNews