by Lynh Bui – Oct. 19, 2010 12:00 AM
Phoenix police Officer Richard Chrisman, who is facing a second-degree murder charge, had been suspended for misconduct in 2006 and was the subject of several internal investigations related to on-duty traffic incidents, personnel records released Monday show.
Chrisman’s personnel file also show he has received several commendations and positive performance reviews during his nearly 10 years on the force.
Chrisman is accused of fatally shooting 29-year-old Danny Frank Rodriguez while answering a call in south Phoenix on Oct. 5.
He’s scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 21 and is free on $150,000 bail. Chrisman is also accused of one count of aggravated assault and one count of cruelty to animals.
Records show Chrisman was suspended without pay for 10 hours on Jan. 27, 2006. The incident of officer misconduct involved Chrisman slipping his partner drug paraphernalia to plant on a homeless woman as a prank in 2005.
Chrisman admitted the joke was his idea and that his behavior was “way beyond unprofessional,” according to a suspension report in his personnel file.
via Phoenix officer facing murder charge has mixed work history.
