Three Phoenix, Arizona, police officers have resigned from their posts following the revelation that they forced a 19-year-old driver to eat marijuana during a traffic stop by threatening him with jail time. A fourth officer was demoted for failing to take appropriate action after learning of the incident.
"These actions are appalling, unacceptable, and they are no longer members of our organization," said police chief Joe Yahner in an announcement of the resignations. "This conduct is against everything that we stand for." Two of the resigned officers are under criminal investigation for their actions.
The traffic stop in question occurred Sept. 14 and should have been filmed by the officers' body cams — but all the cameras were turned off. The teenage driver was told he could either eat the marijuana found in his vehicle or go to jail. He ate it and became ill, after which he was given a ticket and his car was towed.
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