AZDPS Responds to Rioting Protestors at State Capitol | Arizona Department of Public Safety
Skip to main content
Arizona Department of Public Safety Logo
Arizona Department of Public Safety
ARIZONA STATE TROOPERS

Main menu

  • Home
  • The Colonel
    • Command Staff
    • Fallen Troopers
    • Organization
      • Office of the Director
      • Agency Support Division
      • Criminal Investigations Division
      • Highway Patrol Division
      • Technical Services Division
      • Major Incidents Division
      • Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Taskforce (Division)
  • Services
    • Public Services
      • Public Services Center
        • Claim Personal Property
        • Concealed Weapons & Permits
        • Courts and Traffic Ticket Information
        • File a Commendation
        • Household Goods Enforcement
        • Missing Children Search
        • Sex Offender Compliance
        • Tow Truck Application
      • Public Services Portal
        • Fingerprint Clearance Card
        • Licensing
        • Records Request
    • Enforcement Services
      • Chaplaincy Program
      • Commercial Vehicle Enforcement
      • DUI Enforcement
      • GIITEM
      • Impaired Driving
      • Move Over Law
      • Scrap Metal Theft Database
      • Student Transportation
      • WANTED Fugitive Tips
    • Governmental Services
      • ADRS
      • ADOT
      • AFIS
      • Crime Laboratory
        • Simplified Laboratory Reports
        • Quality Assurance
        • Blood Alcohol
        • Toxicology
        • Controlled Substances
        • Latent Prints
        • Firearms/Toolmarks
        • Trace Evidence
        • Questioned Documents
        • DNA Scientific Services
        • Field Services
        • Property and Evidence
      • Crime Victim Services
      • NCJ
      • Tow Program
      • SWIC
  • Department Information
    • Boards & Councils
      • Law Enforcement Merit System Council
      • Retirement Board Meetings
    • Commitments
      • Accessibility
      • Mission Statement
      • Values
    • History
    • Insignia
    • Reports & Publications
      • Budget Request
      • Holiday Enforcement Figures
      • Strategic Plans
    • Request Records
  • Careers
    • Become a Trooper
    • Become a Trooper Trainee
    • Become a Dispatcher
    • Civilian Careers
    • Benefits
    • DPS Jobs & Descriptions
    • Job Interest Card
    • Job Openings
    • Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
    • Volunteer
    • Selection Guidelines
  • News
    • AZDPS News
    • Digest Blog
    • AZDPS Alerts System
      • Amber Alerts
      • Blue Alerts
      • Silver Alerts
    • Public Announcements
      • Retirement Board Meetings
      • Law Enforcement Merit System Council
        • Decisions
        • Meeting Agendas
    • Public Affairs Unit
  • Safety
    • AZDPS Alert System
    • Safety Messages
      • Aggressive Driving
      • Driver Fatigue
      • Drop House Awareness
      • Freeway Camera & Road Conditions
      • Impaired Driving
      • Motorcycles
      • Move Over Law
      • Precursor Chemicals
      • Seat Belt Safety
      • Share The Road
      • What to Do and Expect When Pulled Over by Law Enforcement
      • Weather Safety Tips
    • Task Forces
      • Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force (AVTTF)
      • Arizona WANTED Task Force
    • Special Programs
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • AZDPS Responds to Rioting Protestors at State Capitol

AZDPS Responds to Rioting Protestors at State Capitol

Incident Status: 
Inactive
Incident Date: 
Friday, June 24, 2022
Department Report Number: 
N/A
Preliminary Information: 

Protests over the United States Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade brought an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people to the Arizona State Capitol Complex in Phoenix on Friday, June 24, 2022.

What began as a peaceful protest evolved into anarchical and criminal actions by masses of splinter groups. As groups realized the state legislature was in session, they attempted to breach the doors of the Arizona Senate and force their way into the building. The violence of their efforts literally shook the building and terrified citizens and law makers who occupied the building. As the glass doors bowed from attempts of forced entry, the occupants of the building were instructed to move to secure locations.

Due to the direct threat to the occupants of the Senate building and damage to the building itself, Arizona State Troopers took immediate action and utilized tactics including the deployment of field force teams and tear gas.

As the riotous behavior at the Legislature was taking place, concurrent and spillover criminal misconduct in the form of felony criminal damage and the defacing of state memorials was occurring in Wesley Bolin Plaza.

Troopers exercised patience and application of tactics in Wesley Bolin Plaza as some people unwisely brought children to the protest turned unlawful assembly. After multiple warnings, and notifications of trespass and unlawful assembly, state troopers deployed gas and strategically moved to clear the plaza. After the plaza was cleared, additional state buildings in the area sustained criminal damage.

Significant criminal damage impacted the following memorials and properties:

  • Wesley Bolin Memorial Amphitheatre
  • 158th Regimental Memorial
  • Arizona Peace Officers Memorial
  • Korean War Memorial
  • Arizona Law Enforcement Canine Memorial
  • Operation Enduring Freedom Memorial
  • Lt. Frank Luke Jr. Memorial

 

 

 

Vandalism on 158th Regimental Memorial Damaged memorial Damaged memorial Damaged memorial Damaged memorial Damaged memorial  Damaged memorial

Damaged memorial

Email: 
[email protected]
Arizona State Seal
Location Information
Arizona Department of Public Safety
2222 W. Encanto Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85009
Find in Google Maps
Phone: 602.223.2000
Map Image

Copyright © Arizona Department of Public Safety – All rights reserved.

  • Contact Us
  • Statewide Policies
  • GOVERNOR'S REGULATORY REVIEW COUNCIL
  • Notice of Title VI Program Rights
  • Social Media User Policy
  • Website Accessibility
  • Website Supported by CSU