Statement from Police Chief Harold Hurtt Regarding the Arrest of Detective Steve Gregory

May 11, 2001

The following statement was given by Phoenix Police Chief Harold Hurtt at a news conference held this morning at Police Headquarters:

This morning, shortly before 7 a.m., a 26-year employee of the Phoenix Police Department, Detective Steve Gregory, was arrested on 16 felony warrants. This arrest comes after an investigation that began in October, 2000. It was discovered that Detective Gregory, who had been assigned to the Phoenix Police Department's Auto Theft Detail since 1989, had converted seized vehicles and auto parts for his own personal use or sold them for substantial personal gain.

Detectives from the Phoenix Police Department's Organized Crime Bureau and a prosecutor from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office were assigned to the investigation. Yesterday, May 10, 2001, the findings of this investigation were presented to a Maricopa County Grand Jury. Detective Gregory was indicted for 16 felony offenses: one count of fraudulent schemes, one count of trafficking in stolen property, six counts of theft and eight counts of forgery. The warrants served today involve the theft of eight vehicles from September, 1994 through March of this year. The total value of the vehicles is approximately $41,000.

This investigation will continue, but to date, there is no reason to believe any other Phoenix Police Department employee is involved. I have the utmost confidence in the quality and integrity of the investigators who have worked diligently on this difficult investigation. Their efforts are greatly appreciated. I also would like to thank the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for their assistance. They worked in concert with our investigators from the beginning, providing guidance and counsel along the way.

Last year alone, we impounded more than 900 vehicles. We currently have more than 500 vehicles impounded in our storage facilities. While this case involves only eight vehicles at this point, that's eight too many. My staff is currently conducting audits to determine if our policies and procedures are sound and if they were followed. We also are evaluating our case management practices, and asking ourselves how we can prevent something like this from happening again. This is simply unacceptable.

I will say this in closing: The Phoenix Police Department is an exceptional organization, served by more than 3,400 dedicated men and women who have earned the agency its reputation as the finest police department in the nation. The caliber of our personnel, and the quality service they provide, have earned the confidence of the community and the respect of other criminal justice agencies across the country. It is my sincere hope and belief that the actions of one employee will not erode that trust, but rather, be viewed as just that -- the actions of only one employee, actions that were investigated properly, then dealt with directly and decisively.

Media Contact:

Sgt. Randy Force

(602) 256-3270