While Rep. Catherine Miranda, D-Phoenix (District 27), said she has the utmost respect for law enforcement, she is expressing concern after a Phoenix police officer was arrested for allegedly assaulting a former state legislator during a traffic altercation.
“I have the utmost respect for our law enforcement officers but we have to be able to trust that they are here to protect us. What Armando Ruiz says happened to him while he was driving to church was both shocking and frightening.”
“Mr. Ruiz is an upstanding person. He served this state in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and he continued to give to his community through his work as the executive director of the South Mountain YMCA,” continued Miranda. “Mr. Ruiz was on his way to Mass when he says he was chased and then held at gunpoint by an officer in an unmarked van because he honked his horn after the officer cut him off. Mr. Ruiz said that he was afraid for his life. The officer was later arrested for aggravated assault.”
“We should not have to fear law enforcement officers; they are supposed to help us. I hope it’s an isolated incident and that nothing like this ever happens again. Law enforcement and the community should be partners in ensuring the safety of our neighborhoods,” concluded Miranda.