Police have launched an investigation after several police officers allegedly forced a teen to eat marijuana in order to avoid going to jail, according to police in Arizona.
The Phoenix Police Department said that three officer have resigned and a fourth was demoted from lieutenant to sergeant in connection with the case.
The officer who was demoted, was identified as Jeff Farrior. The three other officers were identified as Richard G. Pina, Jason E. McFadden, and Michael J. Carnicle.
According to the police, the 19-year-old driver said that he was pulled over for a traffic violation around 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday.
He received a fine and his car was towed. The officers found one gram of marijuana, and forced the teen to eat it in order to avoid going to jail.
The driver complied and felt ill after ingesting the marijuana.
He did not need any medical attention.
When the supervisors tried to review the officers’ body cameras, they were shocked to learn that they were turned off right before the incident.