You're watching...
Sgt. William Ponce, the President of the Quartzsite Police Association, speaks out in the wake of his fellow cops being put on paid administrative lea...
Also in this playlist...
Auto-advance: ON
Auto-advance
This transcript is automatically generated
I'm Charles -- -- for judge and you know Polycom don't tonight breaking and disturbing news out of court side Arizona.
As we've reported all week on this program the small town of courtside Arizona is engulfed in allegations of -- -- theft and abuse of power.
Nine of the city's fourteen police officers have filed complaints with the state of Arizona about the police chiefs abuse of power for political gain.
This included -- resting people who just spoke out at town hall meetings for instance this woman Jennifer Jones.
With us last night was telling her story she was one that was -- and -- we learned that last night.
Those nine officers who actually blew the whistle on their chance -- Put on paid administrative leave.
Pending an investigation into the contents of -- water that they signed they have been ordered to stay in their homes between the hour debate AM and 5 PM and not.
To speak about what's happening.
In their town.
One of those police officers and president of courtside splits and so officers association.
Is the find those orders right now he's joining us along with an attorney from the Arizona conference of police and sheriff's.
-- about walking to freedom watch sergeant -- Before we get into exactly what happened would go well it alarms me is the fact that you felt compelled.
-- take your family and hide out at a motel.
Are you afraid for his safety right now.
I'm concerned for the safety of my officers and -- the officers that are still working.
So when you were when you receive this administratively what was your initial reaction that was it a complete surprise.
Was -- just another in a string of reprisals that you guys have faced.
-- I have not actually received my letter I did my officers -- of them are currently on administrative leave.
We are waiting until the other ones get to work -- when I'm guessing they will be served and letters also.
Attorney core -- the actual letter that the officers signed the nine officers signed made dated may tenth.
Saying that listen to police chief risen more less corrupt is there anything illegal about this -- what -- any axes at those officers took.
Charles absolutely not these folks here of these officers are the victims -- whistle blowers trying to call out run amok government.
And bring some sense back to -- -- government there's absolutely nothing illegal about it.
So there's word do you go from here if felt like -- -- we -- reporting on this story where dumbfounded.
At the fact that these -- officers and an entire town seems to be held hostage.
What legal -- maneuvers are you making right now on the behalf of these officers.
Charles I don't want to discuss all the details but I'll tell you right now that.
These unions both the quartz site local group and the -- on cop to police and sheriffs are number one priority right now is insuring the safety.
Of these nine officers the four officers who are left to police the entire 116 square mile jurisdiction quartz site.
And most importantly we're doing everything we can to protect the people quartz site because the chief has left them virtually without any police protection.
What the chief -- left the -- drive but a film like almost everyone else in the state has.
What's happened to the leadership and that's they were is the governor where's the attorney general where's everyone else to help these guys out.
That's an excellent question -- we have a problem with folks not supporting law enforcement enough this is a classic example where the governor can step in.
And show her support for police by ordering DPS to -- And you can quit too quickly conclude the investigation chief -- so that the truth about what he's done and -- allegations can come to light.
-- -- -- -- It was a sense of did town what's the -- like what are people are people walking around and -- Is it like a scene from high noon let me give us a sense because it sounds.
A like a very deadly situation.
Our -- -- our sins are very upset and concerned I'm they're not getting their police services as they should be and now they're just.
Upset because the fact of what the chief has done that can anyone believe -- there and off.
There and all but I mean are people afraid obviously you moved your family into a motel you ordered not even come outside.
I mean that's martial law in your town you me to tell me if you -- -- afraid they're not calling relatives they're not -- People are very concerned -- as far as I've been I've told by people they're caught every law agency they can outside of it's an -- site.
Trying to get something done about what is occurring right now.
Our guys listen I -- wish you luck we've been on top -- -- story we're gonna stay on top of it.
I thank you for your bravery.
And defying the order against -- officer bonds.
And good luck with -- to an attorney James school we appreciate your time tonight as well.
Thank you Charles thank you we got into.
