Gordon calls Phoenix safest large city in the US

Posted: 6:51 PM
Last Updated: 1 hour and 44 minutes ago
By: Lori Jane Gliha

PHOENIX - City leaders in Phoenix are opening up about the controversial investigations surrounding the Phoenix Police Department.

For nearly two months, Phoenix police investigators have been trying to solve the mysterious death of Sgt. Sean Drenth. He died from a gunshot wound on duty in October 2010.

In addition, dozens of police officers have been accused of accepting payments for off-duty security work they never completed. Three officers and one former officer have been indicted in the case.

In an exclusive interview, The ABC15 Investigators sat down with Assistant City Manager Ed Zuercher and Mayor Phil Gordon to discuss the status of the Phoenix Police Department and how they're handling the two major investigations.

"I think we have a great police department," said Zuercher, "nationally recognized in lots of areas: bomb squad, swat team, crowd control, homicide, kidnapping enforcement - all those things we're nationally recognized as having a great police department."

Zuercher said the police department handles allegations of wrongdoing very seriously.

"We have one of the most honest, if not the most honest police department in the United States," Gordon said.

Gordon also called Phoenix the safest large city in the United States. "We have the lowest crime rates, violent and property crime rates in the last twenty years."

GORDON TALKS ABOUT SGT. SEAN DRENTH

When it comes to the ongoing death investigation into Sgt. Sean Drenth, Gordon said he still believes Sgt. Drenth was murdered.

"I believe that there was a crime committed," he said. "But that's just a personal feeling."

The Maricopa County Medical Examiner has not ruled on the manner of Drenth's death. The case is still open and pending.

Gordon said he doesn't believe Drenth could've taken his own life.

"I'll never believe, and I don't believe that people can really take their own lives. That's just a personal belief even though suicides happen. But I think there are so many factors to it. This is a hero and until proven differently, I believe he was out in that field trying to help our community."

We'll be sharing more from the interview – about how both city officials are responding to the investigations – all day Thursday on ABC15 News.

We'll also share new pieces throughout the day on ABC15.com and ABC15 Mobile.

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/local_new ... estigators