PHOENIX — A Phoenix suburb is reviewing how it handles water rescues as video of three police officers standing nearby as a homeless man drowns sparks outcry.
The Tempe Police Department says the officers are on paid administrative leave after last month’s drowning in a city lake.
An uproar arose after Tempe police released edited footage from officers’ body cameras as well as a transcript of the May 28 incident.
The transcript indicates 34-year-old Sean Bickings repeatedly pleaded for help.
A police union says officers are not trained for water rescues.
The city says it will look at protocols and where rescue equipment is placed around the lake.
