14 July 3rd - July 9th, 2025 phoenixnewtimes.com PHOENIX NEW TIMES | NEWS | FEATURE | FOOD & DRINK | ARTS & CULTURE | MUSIC | CONCERTS | CANNABIS | a use-of-force investigation, the Tolleson Police Department found that Hendrix’s actions were justified and insisted that he stay on campus by not providing a replace- ment school resource officer. Calles told Phoenix New Times he believed the city’s investigation was deliber- ately lax. He asked the department to replace Hendrix and hired Rader to conduct an investigation into Hendrix’s behavior. In early February, after Hendrix brought a different student to the ground to arrest him on campus, the school’s principal told him he was no longer welcome on campus and was removed from his position, according to court documents. Notably, Rader’s investi- gation did not find Hendrix acted inappro- priately during that incident. Four days later, Hendrix spoke in front of the Tolleson City Council, claiming that he was in a “hostile work environment” at Tolleson Union and experienced “contin- uous harassment from the school district and the superintendent pressuring me to leave the high school.” Calles doesn’t dispute that he wanted Hendrix gone, calling that “absolutely true.” “I would talk with Hendrix and get along with Hendrix just fine, up until he punched a student,” Calles told New Times. “After he punched a student? Yes. I don’t want you on my campus anymore.” A schoolyard fight spills into city politics When Hendrix gave his version of events to the city council, Mayor Juan Rodriguez told the officer: “I think you were in the right.” Members of the Tolleson City Council agreed, saying that Hendrix had a great reputation with students and staff at the school. In late May, Rader completed her investigation of Hendrix’s actions and came to a different conclusion. Hendrix’s actions were “excessive” in the September incident, she wrote, and “caused an unnecessary escalation and violent alter- cation with a student.” Rader’s report, which was approved by the school district’s governing board on June 24, pinned blame for the scuffle on the officer. It concluded that without him initiating physical contact, it is “unlikely that the altercation would have occurred.” In a statement to New Times, Tolleson police Lt. Lee Garrett said Rader’s inves- tigation was not shared with the Tolleson Police Department by the school district. They had not seen the report until New Times provided it to them. “At this time,” Garrett wrote, “the Tolleson Police Department cannot provide a comment on the validity of the investigation or the credentials and/or experience of those conducting the investigation.” The September incident at Tolleson Union and its fallout have strained the relationship between the city of Tolleson, its police department and the school district. After June 30, Tolleson police officers will no longer serve as school resource officers in district schools. Instead, the district will begin using offi- cers from other jurisdictions, including Phoenix, Avondale and Glendale, in their schools, Calles said. District governing board meetings have also been moved to Glendale. “We still believe there is value in having an officer,” Calles said. But he added that the city of Tolleson doesn’t “seem like they are there for our children.” Tolleson Union High School District Jeremy Calles said it was Calles “absolutely true” that he wanted officer Eric Hendrix gone after Hendrix punched a student. (Tolleson Union High School District) Policia Non Grata from p 12
