MCSO leadership calls ASU Police’s response to campus protests ‘amateur hour’

TEMPE, Ariz. (AZFamily) — In text messages and emails, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office leaders criticized the Arizona State University Police response to campus protests in April.

71 protesters were arrested during pro-Palestinian demonstrations on ASU’s Tempe campus in response to the Israel-Hamas War.

It comes as the university searches for a new police chief.

Chief Michael Thompson informed ASU he will retire on August 24, 2024. Thompson has been on paid administrative leave for the last three months while an internal and external investigation into his department’s response to the protests is ongoing.

ASU contacted the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) to help transport protesters they planned to arrest to the county intake facility. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) was also called in.

An estimated 75 to 100 people protested, and 71 people were ultimately arrested. A Maricopa County judge later dismissed most of the charges protesters were facing.

Arizona’s Family Investigates obtained text messages that the MCSO leadership sent to one another during the protests. One chief noted ASU appeared to let other agencies take the lead.

Chief Michael Dawson with the MCSO Custody Bureau wrote in text messages,

“ASU has been hiding on the side while DPS does the work. And we provide the resources. Proud MCSO moment. Not the best for them.”

Then later, “As I have been listening, I am confused, I thought this was an ASU incident.”

“Troopers are the only ones actually doing the work currently. ASU is staying on the sidelines,”

“Unfortunately, it isn’t surprising because I’ve seen it in other jurisdictions, but it is unfortunate,” Michael Gennaco, a police practice expert with OIR Group, said. Gennaco has helped other universities review their policies following the protests.

“What we have seen, unfortunately, is not enough planning about what that mutual aid is going to look like and not enough real thought on what the mission should end up being and then a lot of confusion once there is deployment,” he said.

These text messages reveal that ASU Police waited, pushing back the time they planned to move in as they looked for campus leaders to make decisions.

“Just hung up with ASU asst chief. He stated plans keep changing by campus leadership,” Deputy Chief Frank McWilliams wrote. “Only new update is the ASU president is having a meeting with local imam.”

Deputy Chief Frank McWilliams with the Patrol Resources Bureau texted, “I guess Tempe backed down due to ASU want to sweep in and arrest everyone without a plan and didn’t want to get into a s*** show.”

Once arrests were made, MCSO leaders noted they were up against a deadline to hold those arrested before they must see a judge for an initial appearance.

Chief Dawson noted, “All that to say is we are monitoring the 24-hour clock and staying on them, but it continues to be a bit of an amateur hour.”

Gennaco said it was clear campus police were not prepared for what unfolded.

“There needs to be more discussion upfront about the goals and objectives,” he said.

Gennaco wasn’t surprised by the charges against the protesters being dropped. He said that as ASU looks to hire a new police chief, it should also review its policies to ensure better preparation moving forward.

In response to Arizona’s Family Investigates’ questions, a spokesperson for ASU sent the following statement:

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