Williams Police Department Lieutentant John Romero has been placed on paid administrative leave while an investigation is conducted into his role in the arrest of a petty theft suspect that was caught on a police body camera.
Newly appointed Williams Police Chief James Gregory ordered that Romero be put on leave while the Arizona Department of Public Safety conducts a thorough investigation into the arrest that left the theft suspect, Brian Lopez, with a serious head injury after Romero allegedly shoved the handcuffed man to the ground.
An initial police report of the event indicated that Lt. Romero was justified in his actions by saying Lopez was resisting arrest. The arresting Officer who was later terminated for supposedly unrelated matters, and Lopez’s family disagreed that the force Romero used was justified.
That Officer, Nicole White, sued the City of Williams claiming in part that her termination was retaliation for reporting Romero’s conduct. She has since settled the case with the city and eventually landed a job as a Police Officer with the City of Fredonia, a position she was also later terminated from. In addition to her terminations from the two cities, she was also fired from her job as a Coconino Deputy Sheriff prior to being hired by Williams.
Former Police Chief Tad Wygal ordered Romero to review use of force procedures but declined to discipline him. The Page Police Department conducted a review of the incident but not a full investigation. That review did not find fault with Romero’s actions, but was reportedly very limited in its scope.
Civilian and sworn members of Williams PD have reportedly given statements according to officials with knowledge of the situation that Romero stated he was going to teach Lopez a lesson before leaving the Police Station on the way to the arrest scene, and upon his return to the station he reportedly stated that he had given Lopez what he deserved.
Those statements, if substantiated, along with other evidence could lead to criminal charges being filed. Why former Chief Tad Wygal may have ignored those statements, if in fact he did, and then exonerated Romero will likely be part of the overall investigation.
The outcome of the investigation could lead to Romero’s termination, as well as the case being forwarded to the County Attorney or Attorney General for possible criminal prosecution.
File Photo
