After failing to save a homeless man from drowning, three police officers in Arizona have been placed on leave.
Sean Bickings, 34, was seen getting into Tempe Town Lake last month and warned officers that he was "going to drown," according to newly released bodycam footage and transcripts.
However, none of the cops on the scene helped him, with one declaring, "I'm not diving in after you."
Mr. Bickings was quickly submerged and pronounced dead.
His death was described as a "tragedy" by municipal officials, who described him as "an unsheltered Tempe community member."
Officers responded to a complaint regarding an alleged dispute between the guy and his spouse in the city center just after 05:00 local time (12:00 GMT) on May 28.
The pair "cooperated fully and denied that any physical argument had occurred," according to the city's statement.
While authorities were verifying the couple's identities for outstanding arrest warrants, Mr Bickings went over a metal barrier separating the boardwalk from the lake and entered the water, according to police film.
He told the authorities he was going "for a swim," went into the lake, and swam towards a bridge despite the fact that swimming was prohibited in the lake.
Around this moment, the 12-minute bodycam footage stops with a notice stating that it was cut short "due to the sensitive nature of the remaining section of the tape."
Instead, the city produced a transcript of the rest of the conversation, in which Mr Bickings repeatedly said that he was drowning and needed to be rescued.
Officers also tried to calm down Mr Bickings' companion as she became increasingly agitated, assuring her they were obtaining a boat, according to the transcript.
"He's drowning right in front of you and you won't assist," she said at one point. Mr. Bickings was nowhere to be seen.
The names of the three cops who were engaged in the incident have not been released.
They are on "non-disciplinary paid administrative leave" as the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Scottsdale Police Department investigate their reaction.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0