A Phoenix Officer Will Be Fired For Pulling A Gun On Parents Of A 4-Year-Old Girl Who Allegedly Stole A Doll From Family Dollar

The verdict is out on the Phoenix police officer who pulled a gun and yelled profanities at the parents of a 4-year-old who allegedly stole a doll from a Family Dollar store; He will be fired, according to his police department.

Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams announced the termination of Christopher Meyer, who was involved in the high-profile incident which took place back in May.

Although the Phoenix Police Department’s Disciplinary Review Board originally recommended Meyer receive a six-week suspension without pay, Williams had the last say and said she believed his “unacceptable” use of force required a harsher punishment.

“In this case, a 240-hour suspension is just not sufficient to reverse the adverse effects of his actions on our department,” Williams said.

The incident all stemmed from officers responding to a complaint that the couple’s 4-year-old daughter allegedly stole a doll from a Family Dollar. As you may recall, the incident was caught on video, and it showed police pulling up to a complex where the couple arrived to drop their daughter off at a babysitter, shortly after leaving the store. 

An officer began banging against their window, yelling and threatening to shoot them. Meyer was one of the officers who drew a gun and yelled profanities at Iesha Harper, who was five months pregnant and had a baby in her arms, along with her fiancé, Dravon Ames. 

An officer is then seen attempting to yank the child from Harper’s arms before she eventually gave the baby to a complete stranger, who offered to take her children.

When the couple was questioned, they said they were unaware of their daughter stealing anything from the store. Police alleged that it was beyond shoplifting and that the father refused to comply with several commands.

Although the couple said both officers responding to the incident should be fired, the second officer present was only reprimanded for using foul language, as the police chief said he was shown on video trying to calm the situation down.

The Phoenix couple is now seeking $10 million from the city.