ABC 15 Arizona, March 2026
Despite tens of millions of dollars spent on the technology, the Phoenix Police Department does not track how often officers’ body cameras fall off during use-of-force incidents. ABC15 asked the city if it kept data on “body-worn camera dislodgements” while reporting on a violent and controversial arrest that appears to be set to end up as a federal lawsuit. A Phoenix police spokesperson said it does not and does not believe it’s a concern.
While arresting Israel Devoe in late 2024, all three of the main officers involved had their body cameras fall off early in the process. Police repeatedly punched, kneed, and elbowed Devoe, who was acquitted of all charges. But the total number of strikes is unknown because only glimpses of the officers’ use of force were captured on their cameras, which ended up scattered on the pavement.
