Tempe Ex-Officer Arrested for Overtime Fraud

Former Tempe police officer Demetrius Domonique Mitchell was arrested on felony fraud and theft charges after allegedly submitting nearly 300 hours of fraudulent overtime requests over two years, amounting to over $24,000 in unearned wages and benefits. A supervisor discovered the discrepancies, which were confirmed through a detailed investigation using bodycam footage, phone records, GPS data, and other records. Mitchell resigned from the Tempe Police Department on July 8, 2025, shortly before his arrest, after serving four years with the department. Tempe Police Chief Kenneth McCoy emphasized the department's commitment to transparency and accountability, stating officers are held to a higher standard. The case has raised broader concerns about overtime oversight in Arizona law enforcement, although separate audits in Phoenix did not uncover similar fraud. The investigation and legal proceedings against Mitchell are ongoing.