Arizona Attorney General Declines Charges Against Gilbert Police Over Record Destruction Allegations
In a significant development, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office has decided not to pursue criminal charges against the Gilbert Police Department after investigating claims that the department destroyed public records. The investigation originated from a complaint by a mother who alleged that town officials concealed and deleted body camera footage related to harassment claims involving her daughter.
Investigations revealed that the Gilbert Police Department had retained the recordings well beyond the mandated retention period. Subsequently, the department requested an independent review of these allegations in February. According to the Attorney General’s Office, the investigation concluded that the footage deletion was due to an administrative oversight, aligning with the town’s initial assessment.
Official Response from Gilbert Police Department
This week, the Gilbert Police Department received notification that the Arizona Attorney General’s Office found no grounds for claims made by Charisia Arnold about improper actions regarding public records. The investigation is now closed.
Due to the gravity of the allegations, the Gilbert Police Department sought an objective investigation from the Arizona Attorney General’s Office earlier this year. The findings confirmed the town’s view that the deleted files were the result of an administrative mistake.
The department had retained the body-worn camera recordings for three years, in line with its policy, exceeding the state’s mandated retention period of 185 days. Notably, these records pertained to service calls where no criminal activity was reported.
All recordings related to criminal cases or with evidentiary value remain intact, compliant with both departmental policy and state law, and were provided to Charisia Arnold upon her request.
Each year, the Gilbert Police Department handles thousands of public records requests, maintaining a commitment to accuracy, transparency, and compliance with Arizona law.
“The department’s decision to seek an impartial investigation underscores our commitment to transparency and accountability. We will continue to evaluate and strengthen our processes to meet the highest expectations of our community,” emphasized Interim Chief of Police James Bisceglie.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to clarify that the allegations pertained to harassment.
