Tyler Kamp
Phoenix Police Sued For Failing To Release Records Of Democrat Maricopa County Sheriff Candidate

October 27, 2024

By Staff Reporter |

The Phoenix Police Department (PPD) is being sued over its failure to release records that allegedly reveal additional wrongdoing by former officer and Democratic nominee for Maricopa County Sheriff, Tyler Kamp.

Multiple media reports have emerged on the sexual harassment complaints and reprimands for misconduct that Kamp received while employed with PPD. 

Kamp’s past misconduct included a city investigation which found that Kamp sexually harassed a rookie female police officer via text in 2020 and in his last year on the force in 2021, though he was never disciplined since the investigation took place after he retired from the department. In 2014, Kamp was suspended for a day for breaching a confidential law enforcement database for personal use. Arizona law classifies unauthorized access to criminal history as a class six felony. In 2013, Kamp was punished for repeatedly using a city vehicle for personal use. 

The unreleased records sought may provide more background on Kamp’s past — and now they’re being fought over in court. 

Maricopa County voter Brian Anderson filed a request for those records on Kamp back in March. When PPD failed to return the records after five months, Anderson had an attorney send PPD a demand letter. In response to that letter, PPD said it would produce the records by mid-September. After PPD failed to produce those records, Anderson filed a lawsuit in court. 

“Defendant’s failure to disclose Mr. Kemp’s [sic] personnel records before the Primary Election has already resulted in the public not knowing possibly important matters of concern that the public should have knowledge of before voting at the General Election,” read one court filing.

The records sought on Kamp seek to corroborate rumors and allegations that Kamp engaged in sexual acts with a civilian in a patrol car while on duty, engaged in sexual acts in the stairwell of PPD headquarters, and committed other sexual harassment and stalking incidents in addition to those publicized by local media. These claims made their way into the September debate between Kamp and his Republican opponent, Jerry Sheridan (who was the second in command under former Sheriff Joe Arpaio). 

Although it is unclear why PPD refuses to release the records, there are some who would stand to benefit. 

Phoenix City Councilman Kevin Robinson was Kamp’s supervising officer and the assistant chief at PPD, and currently serves as his campaign chairman. In the press release announcing Kamp’s run, Robinson offered praise for his former subordinate. 

“I have known Tyler for many years, going back to our time working in law enforcement together,” said Robinson. “He will bring extensive law enforcement and management experience to the role, and ensure a leadership grounded in integrity, accountability and a deep commitment to serving the community.”

In the recent past, MCSO chief deputies have made over $200,000.

On Tuesday, PPD and Anderson convened in court briefly and were scheduled for a full hearing next week. 

Kamp, formerly a Republican, switched parties last December to run as a Democrat. Kamp’s platform includes building on the work of Democratic Sheriff Paul Penzone, which includes more restorative justice rather than incarceration — though the county sheriff has no role in prosecution or sentencing. Some have criticized restorative justice as a “soft-on-crime” approach for practices such as having offenders apologize to victims in exchange for lighter sentencing or parole. Restorative justice is often implemented in high-crime cities like Los Angeles and Chicago. 

Kamp also proposes establishing a task force for crime trends, a cross-agency task force, more hiring incentives like bonuses and continuing educational support, and bringing an end to the Melendres Court Orders.

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