Unbelievable: Mesa Police Officer Shawn Freeman Smiles While Feeding Baby Beer
Demanding Accountability for Officer Freeman's Misconduct
Mesa, Arizona - Officer Shawn Freeman of the Mesa Police Department was caught feeding a baby beer from a bottle labeled clearly as containing alcoholic beer, and he did so multiple times while smiling for photos.
The actions depicted in the photos involving Mesa Police Officer Shawn Freeman feeding a baby beer from a clearly marked beer bottle are concerning and inappropriate. Such behavior goes against the professional standards expected of law enforcement officers and raises serious ethical and legal questions.
Mesa Police Chief Ken Cost's Failure to Address Officer Freeman's Misconduct
Officer Freeman's disturbing actions, exemplified by the disturbing images of him giving a baby beer, are merely scratching the surface of the larger issue of his inappropriate conduct.
More than a year ago, Mesa Police Chief Ken Cost received multiple photos of Officer Freeman feeding a baby beer from a beer bottle, clearly marked, while grinning, amidst a plethora of other accusations of misconduct and unlawful activities. Despite the overwhelming evidence, Chief Cost failed to reprimand Officer Freeman, sending a message that such behavior is condoned within the Mesa Police Department.
Officer Freeman's long history of substantial misconduct has been extensively documented, yet Chief Cost chose to turn a blind eye, resulting in the emergence of new allegations against Officer Freeman. These new allegations range from filing falsified police reports and committing perjury to receiving use-of-force complaints, being involved in the fatal shooting of an unarmed man, and engaging in fraudulent activities. Had Chief Cost taken appropriate action against Officer Freeman when initial evidence of misconduct was presented, these new allegations could have been avoided.
Mesa Police Chief Cost's failure to address Officer Freeman's actions has allowed for a pattern of misconduct to continue unchecked within the Mesa Police Department.
Accountability Matters: Addressing the Double Standard in the Mesa Police Department
The Mesa Police Department appears to follow a repeatedly demonstrated contradictory set of rules, where laws are strictly enforced on everyone except their own officers. It is unacceptable for there to be a double standard where officers are not subject to the same rules and consequences as everyone else.
The Mesa Police Department must be held accountable for their actions. Maricopa County District Attorney Rachel Mitchell, Mesa Mayor John Giles, Mesa Police Chief Ken Cost, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, and all other relevant authorities in Arizona have a responsibility to ensure that police misconduct is not supported and that officers are held to the same standards as any other citizen. The presence of a double standard in this context is unfair and should be condemned. The fact that Officer Freeman can misuse his power both on and off duty without facing consequences highlights the pressing need for enhanced oversight and transparency within the Mesa Police Department.
It is essential that law enforcement officials are held to the same standards as any ordinary citizen, and that they are not immune to the consequences of their actions. Allowing officers to act with impunity undermines the trust and integrity of the entire justice system. Therefore, it is crucial for authorities to address these issues promptly and ensure that justice is served equally for all, regardless of their position or authority.
Standing Up Against Injustice: Reporting Police Misconduct in Mesa
As a member of the Mesa Police Department, Officer Freeman should be held to a higher standard. It is essential for Arizona law enforcement officers to act with integrity, professionalism, and respect at all times, both on and off duty.
Speak up against injustice and advocate for change by reaching out to Mesa Police Chief Ken Cost, Maricopa County District Attorney Rachel Mitchel, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, The Arizona Peace Officers Training and Standards Board (AZ POST), and Mesa Mayor John Giles.
If you have knowledge of any instances of police misconduct, brutality, or criminal activity by law enforcement in our community, don’t stay silent. You can submit a report to the DOJ and the FBI online, and even though Mesa Police Internal Affairs rarely disciplines its officers for wrongful behavior, you can still try to file a complaint here. While it is true that the Professional Standards Unit or Internal Affairs may choose not to discipline the Officer or take necessary action, it is important to consider the significance of creating a paper trail. By documenting any incidents or concerns, you are not only holding individuals accountable but also establishing a tangible record that could potentially assist future victims of Mesa Police.
Justice for Mesa: Exposing Officer Freeman's Unethical Behavior and the City's Financial Burden
The Mesa Police Department had numerous chances to address and correct Officer Freeman's unlawful and unethical actions, yet they opted not to do so. Officer Shawn Freeman's behavior is now being brought to light for the public to see who is representing their police force and where the Mesa Police Department is spending our tax money. We will persist in revealing the misconduct within the Mesa Police Department until those responsible for these wrongdoings are held accountable and justice is achieved.
Additionally, the residents of Mesa should not be forced to bear the financial burden of repeatedly settling lawsuits against Officer Freeman and other Mesa police officers for their misconduct and infringement of civil rights. The City of Mesa repeatedly settles lawsuits against Mesa Police Officers who have committed misconduct violating Civil Rights, yet has rarely disciplined or terminated any of those officers. These lawsuits are often paid out quietly without media coverage or comment from the Mesa Police Department because residents of the City of Mesa would be outraged if they knew where their tax dollars were going.