In a recent development, the Arizona Attorney General’s Office has cleared the Gilbert Police Department of any criminal wrongdoing concerning allegations of destroyed public records. The investigation was initiated after a mother claimed the department withheld and deleted body camera footage tied to harassment allegations involving her daughter.
The Gilbert Police Department explained that the footage in question was retained longer than the legally required period. In an effort to maintain transparency, the department sought an independent review of the case in February.
The Attorney General’s findings aligned with the initial assessment by town officials, concluding that the deletion was due to an administrative mistake.
Statement from Gilbert Police Department
This week, the Gilbert Police Department was informed by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office that allegations by Charisia Arnold, claiming improper handling and destruction of public records, were not substantiated, leading to the closure of the investigation.
The department, acknowledging the gravity of the claims, initiated an independent review by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office in February 2026. The findings reiterated that the file deletions were due to an administrative error.
The deleted records, which included body-worn camera footage, were retained for three years, as per the department’s policy, surpassing the state’s mandated retention period of 185 days. Notably, the deleted footage pertained to calls where no criminal activity was reported.
All recordings linked to criminal investigations or those of evidentiary significance remain preserved and were provided to Charisia Arnold upon request, in line with both departmental policy and Arizona state law.
The Gilbert Police Department processes thousands of public records requests annually and remains dedicated to handling these requests with accuracy, transparency, and full compliance with state regulations.
“The department’s decision to seek an impartial investigation underscores our commitment to transparency and accountability. We will continue to evaluate and strengthen our processes to meet the highest expectations of our community,” said Interim Chief of Police James Bisceglie.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to correct that the allegations were related to harassment.
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