JURUPA VALLEY, Calif. (KCAL/KCBS/CNN Newsource/WKRC) – A deputy was allegedly caught on camera swiping through a dating app while standing just feet away from an armed and barricaded suspect during a SWAT standoff.
The standoff occurred on Wednesday, and involved an armed suspect that crashed into a wall near a school, according to CBS News.
A birds-eye view camera caught one of the deputies, wearing insignia possibly denoting him as a sergeant, pulling out his phone and swiping left on what appeared to be the dating profiles of three women, KCAL reported.
The deputy reportedly began scrolling on his phone when he was just feet away from the armed suspect, who was barricaded in his vehicle on the opposite side of the SWAT vehicle the deputy stood behind.
The standoff eventually ended after the sheriff’s office shot tear gas into the suspect’s car, KCAL reported. Authorities believe shortly after the gas was dispensed, the suspect turned his gun upon himself.
“This behavior does not reflect the standards, expectations, or policies of our department,” the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said. “We have initiated an internal investigation and will take appropriate action based on the findings. The sheriff’s office remains committed to professionalism and holding out employees accountable.”