MESA, Ariz. (AP) - A retired Mesa police officer was cleared of two sexual harassment allegations after investigators determined the claims lacked corroborating evidence or witnesses.
Mesa Police Department Officer Jeffrey Neese was a sergeant prior to the allegations and was demoted to patrol officer before announcing his retirement last month. Neese could have return to duty if he had not retired.
Recently released documents recount how two women accused Neese last year of sexually harassing them on social media in 2017 and 2018, the Arizona Republic reported Thursday.
Neither could provide screenshots to investigators and they later declined requests for an additional interview, authorities said. Neese denied the allegations.
Both women worked for a hospital where Neese performed off-duty work, documents state.
“In its simplest form, this appears to be a ’he said, she said,’” an investigator wrote in an interoffice memo detailing the decision. “The alleged possible misconduct is uncorroborated by evidence or witness testimony.”
Mesa Police Assistant Chief Ed Wessing said he was unable to comment on the matter due to possible litigation.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.