Flagstaff Police Chief Kevin Treadway held a press conference on Thursday regarding the incident between Officer Jeff Bonar and Ms. Marissa Morris hat occurred on November 16. Bonar was caught on video punching Morris in the face.
Bonar arrested Morris for aggravated assault and resisting arrest following a stop and detention he made regarding warrants he believed she had at that time, reported Treadway. During the arrest, a struggle occurred, which was filmed by Morris’ acquaintances. The video shows Bonar striking Morris in the face.
The video was released later that day on social media and went viral.
According to Treadway, the warrants Bonar originally contacted her for were later found to have been served on October 18, 2016. Morris was booked that day for aggravated assault and resisting arrest.
“Upon learning of the video and what it depicted, the Flagstaff Police Department immediately suspended Officer Bonar and he has been on administrative leave since that time. An Internal Affairs investigation and separate criminal investigation was launched immediately,” said Treadway.
The Northern Arizona University Police Department has been conducting the criminal investigation into possible assault charges on Officer Bonar. The criminal case investigated by the NAU Police Department against Bonar’s actions has been submitted to the Coconino County Attorney’s Office for review. That office declared a conflicted and the case was sent it to the Mohave County Attorney’s Office.
A criminal investigator with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has been reviewing the initial investigation plus any additional investigation performed by NAUPD in order to determine any recommended criminal charges on Morris from this incident. The charges against Morris once again have been reviewed and prepared by the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and have also been submitted to the Coconino County Attorney for review.
The Flagstaff Police Department has not formally filed charges against Morris from the arrest by Bonar. Treadway said that was because “additional information into this matter was being gathered and we felt that it was only ethical that we include this additional information before the case on Miss Morris was formally charged,” said Treadway.
“As a part of the disciplinary policies of the City of Flagstaff, my command staff reviews violations of policy and forwards to me a recommendation for discipline,” said Treadway. “In this case, their recommendation was for termination. On December 27, 2016, Mr. Bonar was informed in writing of a notice of recommendation for termination and a pre-determination hearing was scheduled with me this afternoon. At this meeting, Mr. Bonar would have been afforded the opportunity to present his views on the findings to me. I would have taken his presentation under advisement and then would have made a final determination on the discipline. At 9:30 this morning, before the scheduled pre-determination hearing, Officer Bonar tendered his resignation effective immediately. In the City of Flagstaff Personnel policies and according to due process, an employee has a right to voluntarily resign at any time prior to a pre-determination meeting and the resignation was accepted.”