PHOENIX — The Phoenix Police Department will not discipline any officers for their roles in a massive city scandal where officials invented a fake gang and then falsely charged protesters as members back in 2020.
However, sources tell ABC15 all three officers who violated policy are now retired and can’t be disciplined.
One of the key officials involved in the gang charges was Sgt. Doug McBride, who was the officer who misled a grand jury to secure the indictment, records show.
McBride retired in December 2025 before the internal investigation was completed, and he now collects a $98,000 annual pension.
The cruelty is the point.
The false arrests are literally the job.
“Gang member” as a designation is merely a legalized end run around free association. Might as well just charge people for being Black / Latino / East Asian / Gay as criminalize a popular local fashion.