Phoenix Police Chief Responds After Cops Point Guns At Family

PHOENIX — The chief of police in Phoenix is apologizing after police officers pointing guns and shouted obscenities at the father and pregnant mother of two young girls, one of whom had shoplifted a doll at a store. Chief Jeri Williams told AZ Family on Sunday that she was "disappointed" by what happened. She apologized to the family and the community.

"I apologize to the public because this is not the type of behavior you should see from a Phoenix police officer. Period," said Williams, though she said there was more information to the story.

"On May 27, adults made the choice to go into a local business and steal items and commit a theft," she said.

The incident last month stemmed from a 4-year-old girl stealing a doll from a Family Dollar store near 36th Street and McDowell Road. Police confronted the family, who then drove away. They were pulled over at an apartment complex where things escalated.

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$10M Claim Says Phoenix Police Violated Family's Rights

Parents Dravon Ames and Iesha Harper said a Phoenix police officer injured their 1-year-old daughter by pulling one of her arms. The incident happened after the mother refused a command to put the child down. The mother said the girl couldn't walk and the pavement was hot.

The notice of claim, filed Wednesday, also said police hurt Ames when an officer threw Ames against a vehicle, kicked his leg — causing Ames to collapse — and punched him for no reason.

"We are all angry about this," Williams told AZ Family. "We are all upset about this. This is not what should be happening."

No arrests were made.

Mayor Kate Gallego on Saturday said in a statement she was "sick" after seeing the video.

"I, like many others, am sick over what I have seen in the video depicting Phoenix police interacting with a family and young children. It was completely inappropriate and clearly unprofessional," said Gallego .