Three police officers from Tempe, Arizona, have been put on administrative leave for watching a man drown in the lake. None of the three intervened, according to video images made with a bodycam.
The victim, 34-year-old Sean Bickings, called for help from the water, while his partner panicked the policemen from the shore to spring into action. But without result.
Transcription
According to the now released video footage, the police responded to a report of an argument between Bickings and his wife around 5 a.m. on the morning of May 28. According to the woman, the two sometimes argue, but it is never accompanied by physical violence.
Two officers have a chat with the two, while a third checks the names of the couple for outstanding fines, according to the Washington Post a standard protocol. Fifteen minutes later, Bickings inquires if he is free to go and climbs a short metal fence between the boardwalk and the lake.
As Bickings walks toward the water, a cop warns him not to swim in the lake. But he is already in the water. As Bickings swims away, a cop asks his colleague, “How far do you think he can swim?”
Shortly afterwards, Bickings shouts that he is drowning. “I’m going to drown. I’m going to drown,” he says. ,,No, you’re not,” an officer replies. And on another call for help, an officer says, “I’m not jumping after you.”
Panic
While Bickings is drowning, Bickings’ partner becomes increasingly upset and begs the officers to save her husband. At one point, a cop threatens to put her in a police car if she doesn’t calm down.
The video shows her continuing to pressure the officers to intervene and rescue Bickings, with the officers responding that a boat is on its way. ,,No, no, no,” says Bickings’ partner. “Go for a damn swim. He is all I have,” she says. “I can’t lose him, he’s going to die.”
Bickings is removed from the water later that morning of May 28 at around 11:30 am. He is pronounced dead on the spot.
Police Chief Jeff Glover calls Bickings drowning a “tragedy”. All three officers have been placed on non-disciplinary paid administrative leave pending the investigation, which is common in cases where officers are involved in a death, a statement said.
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