State and local officials are investigating the death of a man in Tempe, Arizona, who drowned while police watched nearby. Officers responded to a call about an alleged dispute between Sean Bickings, 34, and his companion before he drowned. The city described Bickings as “homeless”. Camera footage of the tragedy showed the man calling for help as they stood still and watched him die. The three agents involved have been put on leave while the situation is being investigated.
According to a statement released by Tempe City Council, around 5am on May 28, Tempe police officers found Bickings and a woman in a reservoir near a pedestrian bridge. The statement said that both Bickings and his partner denied that any physical violence had taken place and that neither of them had been arrested.
Camera footage shows a man and officers chatting as he drowned
Camera footage of the tragedy has been released, showing Bickings diving into the water after talking to police, who warned him he could not swim there. In the 11-minute video, Bickings asked the three police officers to help immediately after the jump.
“I’m drowning!”
Then an officer tells him to swim up to a tower, but Bickings says he can’t. One of the cops says, “Okay, I won’t jump on you,” according to the transcript of the incident released by police. At that moment, Bickings’ partner asks the police to help him because he knows he can’t swim.
“That’s all I have. He’s going to die. I can’t lose him.”
Police eventually called for a water rescue team after several requests for help and called for help from firefighters, according to the transcript. Unfortunately, the water had silenced Bickings’ cries for help at the time.
The city said all three Tempe police officers have been placed on paid non-disciplinary administrative leave pending investigations. They described temporary leave as a “common” practice in critical incidents.
Residents, are you surprised by the reaction of the police in this situation? Click Play to view the camera images below.