An officer from the Buckeye Police Department in Arizona has been suspended following charges of aggravated assault related to two troubling incidents involving excessive use of force. Officer Carri Carrico is facing serious allegations after an altercation with a pregnant woman in custody, as well as another undisclosed incident.
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According to statements from Buckeye Police Chief Robert Sanders, Carrico was charged in May after security footage purportedly showed her engaging in violent behaviour towards a handcuffed woman who was nine months pregnant at the time. The altercation occurred on 1 November 2025, when the woman was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving.
An official report citing both security and body camera footage describes how Carrico allegedly assaulted the pregnant woman during the detention process. It is claimed that Carrico “pulled out her right hand and punched on the right side of the face” of the woman, who was restrained with her hands behind her back. The footage reportedly captures a series of escalating confrontations, with the woman not displaying any aggressive behaviour towards the officer, according to investigators.
In footage obtained by ABC 13, the incident begins with Carrico directing the woman to take a seat, which she complies with. However, the interaction swiftly turns aggressive, with Carrico appearing to shove the woman against a wall and pinning her in a corner. The situation escalates further, culminating in Carrico allegedly punching the woman in the head after she is seated, with her shirt lifting to reveal her pregnancy.
Reports indicate that the pregnant woman sustained a contusion from the altercation, in addition to suffering from various scratches and bruises. Such injuries have raised concerns regarding the appropriateness of Carrico’s response during the interaction.
In a subsequent investigation, Carrico is reported to have claimed that her conduct was a reversion to her police training when confronted about her actions. Internal communication from her supervisor described Carrico’s behaviour as “very aggressive,” highlighting concerns within the department regarding the escalation of force in this instance.
The Buckeye Police Department has not yet made a public statement regarding the incident or the suspension of Carrico, which has been in effect for almost seven months. As the case progresses, it shines a light on the discussions surrounding police conduct and the use of force in apprehending suspects.
Facing significant scrutiny, Carrico has entered a plea of not guilty concerning the charges laid against her. The situation continues to develop and has drawn considerable media attention, reflecting ongoing public interest in issues of police accountability and the treatment of vulnerable individuals in custody.
As the judicial process unfolds, many are closely monitoring the outcome of this case, which raises important questions about the standards and behaviours expected of law enforcement personnel, particularly in sensitive situations involving pregnant individuals. The broader implications of this incident may contribute to ongoing debates about policing practices and the necessity for reform in the use of force policies across law enforcement agencies.