Former MCSO deputy has had peace officer license revoked by state board

A former Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office deputy had his certification revoked Wednesday by a state board following an investigation into his 2022 arrest of an elderly woman who was checking on her neighbor.

The Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board voted to revoke Michael Uyehara’s certification after the incident, in which he handcuffed and arrested an 82-year-old woman during a response.

In October 2022, Michael Uyehara responded to a call about a suicide at a home in Sun City. When paramedics arrived at the scene, they informed Uyehara that an 82-year-old neighbor was approaching the house.

Body camera footage shown during a meeting revealed the woman told Uyehara that the victim’s wife had requested her presence. However, Uyehara instructed the woman to return to her residence and said she was not allowed to enter the place.

Uyehara warned the woman that she would be arrested if she did not leave. When she refused to comply, he proceeded to arrest her, as shown in the film.

The victim’s wife then ran out of the residence and pleaded with Uyehara to let the woman go, stating that she wanted to speak with her. The woman made it clear to police that she had no intention of entering the house and simply wanted her wife to know she was there.

Uyehara released the handcuffs as more officers surrounded the woman. An officer let her into the residence with the victim’s wife, according to the footage shown.

About two weeks later, the woman filed a complaint with the Sheriff’s Department, alleging Uyehara had overreacted, according to a board member. She reported bruising from the handcuffs and stated that she was only there to support her friend, stressing that she posed no threat as an elderly woman was using a cane.

An investigation into the incident found that Uyehara included at least seven inaccuracies in his report, including a misrepresentation of events, the board member said.

When asked what he could have done differently by investigators, he reportedly said he “could have shot her. I could have tased her, I could have kicked, swept her foot and knocked her to the ground.”

The investigation revealed several policy violations, including unreasonable use of force and false statements. Consequently, the state board revoked his certification as a peace officer.

While on administrative leave, Uyehara resigned from the sheriff’s office.

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Former MCSO deputy has had peace officer license revoked by state board

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