In January 2021, multiple officers were involved in the in-custody death of Akeem Terrell, a mentally ill man who died after being restrained in a Phoenix jail cell. Despite a $4.8 million settlement paid to Terrell’s family, no officers were disciplined for their actions. Internal investigations by both the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and Phoenix Police Department found the officers’ actions to be within policy, with each agency blaming the other for Terrell’s death. Body camera footage showed officers leaving Terrell motionless and face down on the cell floor after restraining him. The incident highlighted systemic issues within the department regarding the handling of individuals with mental health crises.
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