Three Tempe Police Department officers have been placed on paid administrative leave amid questions about their actions during a Tempe Town Lake drowning, according to a news release from the city.
The death took place on May 28 when Sean Bickings was approached by officers at 5 a.m. about a domestic dispute with his wife, both unsheltered in Tempe. When the officers learned Bickings had several warrants out for his arrest, he climbed over the Elsmore Pedestrian Bridge and began swimming in Tempe Town Lake. A search for Bickings did not begin until 9:30 a.m. and his body was recovered at 11:30 a.m.
“When officers arrived, they spoke to Bickings and his companion, who cooperated fully and denied that any physical argument had taken place,” city officials said in a statement. “Neither were being detained for any offense. Officers told the couple they were running their names through a database used to check whether people have outstanding arrest warrants; this is a standard procedure. That check had not yet been completed when Bickings decided to slowly climb over a 4-foot metal fence and enter the water. Officers informed him swimming is not allowed in the lake. He swam about 30-40 yards before repeatedly indicating he was in distress. He soon went under and did not resurface.”
