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Phoenix cop who allegedly threatened mayor won't be charged

Posted at 6:02 PM, Jan 05, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-05 20:02:32-05

PHOENIX (AP) — The Maricopa County Attorney's Office announced Tuesday that it won't file criminal charges against a Phoenix police officer who allegedly threatened to shoot the city's mayor.

Mayor Kate Gallego was given additional law enforcement protection after the alleged threat became public in October and the Tempe Police Department was asked to investigate.

A subsequent police report said Steve Poulos reportedly made the threat while on-duty and in uniform during a meeting with six other Phoenix police officers.

Gallego has pushed for police reforms and Poulos, a 22-year veteran, reportedly was upset about a possible defunding of the police force.

According to the report, Poulos backtracked after the meeting and said his comment about harming Gallego was made in jest.