Buckeye Police investigation leads to charges against former officer

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | Twitter: @JasonWBrooks2

BUCKEYE — A man who quit after a 10-year Buckeye Police Department career amid an investigation involving him has been arrested.

Buckeye Police announced Tuesday Charles Cosgrove, 38, was arrested is charged with perjury as well as with using official law enforcement databases to illegally access personal information of multiple people.

Cosgrove was arrested Monday following what Buckeye Police described, in a news release, as an extensive investigation.

Cosgrove served with the Buckeye Police Department for 10 years.

On May 4, police said, the department initiated an internal investigation after a police supervisor came forward with concerns of potential misconduct. Before the internal investigation could be completed, Cosgrove resigned June 9.

On June 14, new information provided by a third party led the department to launch a separate criminal investigation. Detectives found Cosgrove had unlawfully gained access to personal information and criminal histories of multiple people, they said.

On July 21, the department submitted a case to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office for review of criminal charges. A grand jury indicted Cosgrove five days later.
Cosgrove is charged with five counts of unauthorized access of criminal history, which is a Class 6 felony. He’s also charged with 21 counts of perjury, a Class 4 felony.

“The Buckeye Police Department takes allegations of misconduct very seriously,” Interim Buckeye Police Chief Bob Sanders said in a statement. “As a result of this investigation, the department has implemented quarterly audits to ensure officers are accessing sensitive information for legitimate criminal justice purposes only. We take pride in serving with integrity and respect. Any officer who violates the community’s trust will be held accountable.”

Buckeye Police did not release information on whose access Cosgrove was searching.

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent
@JasonWBrooks2

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.