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Mesa Police Officers Face Discipline For Excessive Force

By Tom Maxedon
Published: Tuesday, April 23, 2019 - 3:37pm
Updated: Tuesday, April 23, 2019 - 3:38pm

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Mesa Police Chief Ramon Batista
Jimmy Jenkins/KJZZ
Mesa Chief Ramon Batista in 2018.

Several Mesa police officers will face discipline for repeatedly punching and kneeing a man before pulling him to the ground in a May 2018 incident that was recorded by body cam footage.

An internal affairs investigation conducted in part by former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley validated claims by 35-year-old Robert Johnson that excessive force was used against him nearly a year ago when he was arrested.

→ Watch Police Body Camera Footage

Officer Rudy Monarrez who was involved in the incident was given a written reprimand for violating the department's code of conduct, and Lt. Timothy Wahlberg was given "non-discipline corrective action," according to department spokeswoman Irene Mahoney.

The Arizona Republic reports that Officer Ernesto Calderon and Officer Jhonte Jones have been placed on administrative duties pending the outcome of their appeals to the department’s punishment.

State law prohibits the release of more details until their appeals have received due process.