Domestic Violence Survivor Calls for Independent Investigations into Police Misconduct and Systemic Failures in Arizona’s Family Court System

Disturbing allegations of domestic violence, perjury, official misconduct, and institutional failures have emerged from Arizona, as a mother and domestic violence survivor, Erin Gerlach publicly demands independent investigations into what she describes as a dangerously flawed justice system that failed to protect her and her 7-year-old daughter, Brooklyn.

A Pattern of Abuse and Retaliation

In a formal complaint submitted by Gerlach and accompanying documents, she accuses Shawn Freeman—a SWAT Operator with the City of Mesa Police Department—of a consistent pattern of coercive control, domestic violence, child abuse, legal abuse, dishonesty, abuse of power and significant acts of misconduct, both on and off duty. Gerlach recounts years of emotional and physical abuse inflicted by Freeman, including being violently assaulted in front of their child. Gerlach alleges that after ending her engagement with Freeman, he used his authority as a law enforcement officer to systematically dismantle her life—threatening to take their daughter and “destroy her,” filing false police reports, committing perjury to fraudulently obtain court orders, and manipulating the legal system to separate their daughter from her mother. These alarming allegations span nearly a decade and have sparked demands for accountability from Freeman's victims and community members.

“This is not merely about one dirty police officer committing crimes. It’s about a system that supports abusers and punishes victims for coming forward,” stated an advocate familiar with the case. “These allegations detail a terrifying violation of public trust and a troubling lack of accountability.”

Systemic Failures in the Maricopa County Family Court

Gerlach further alleges that Judge Charlene Jackson of the Maricopa County Family Court ignored overwhelming evidence of domestic violence, child abuse, violated due process, allowed false testimony to go unchallenged, and knowingly issued life-altering child custody orders based on demonstrably false and misleading information.

Maricopa County Judge Charlene Jackson is accused of ignoring evidence of domestic violence, child abuse and fraud on the court while failing to follow proper procedures, issuing orders inconsistent with Arizona law and violating Erin and Brooklyn's constitutional rights. Judge Jackson has faced public scrutiny for serious allegations of violating the Arizona Code of Judicial Conduct in a multitude of cases.

The Arizona Capital Times published an article about an Arizona State Legislator forced to intervene after litigants approached her for help after Judge Jackson, The Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct and The Maricopa County Presiding Judges failed their families. "Keshel threatens to investigate judge over pending family-court cases" The article states "Rep. Rachel Keshel, R-Tucson, sent an Oct. 7 letter obtained by the Arizona Capitol Times on Thursday to family court Judge Charlene Jackson, requesting to speak with Jackson after several of Keshel’s constituents reached out to her with allegations of judicial bias, collusion with court-appointed experts, and “adverse” custody orders that have placed children at risk."

This press release details a recall petition that was filed with the Maricopa County Board of Elections stating "Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Charlene Jackson needs to be held accountable. Jackson has violated numerous Rules of the Arizona Code of Judicial Conduct. Jackson repeatedly fails to comply with Arizona Law while depriving litigants of their State and Federally Protected Constitutional Rights. Jackson habitually places victims of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse in danger, while protecting their abusers. Jackson ignores Jurisdictional requisites. Jackson issues rulings based on her personal relationships with attorneys and litigants that she fails to disclose. Jackson demonstrates a pattern of Judicial misconduct including participating in racist, bias, and unethical conduct. When Judges violate the rights we entrust them with defending, while breaking the laws we expect them to uphold, they undermine the legitimacy of the Judicial system. Jackson is harming Arizona citizens, especially the most vulnerable population of Children and Abuse Victims. Jackson's pattern of intentional disregard for the law demonstrates her unfitness for the bench, she is incompetent and should be recalled."

A change.org petition with over 2,400 signatures calls for Maricopa County Superior Court Judge to be removed from the bench. The petition states "In Maricopa County, AZ, Judge Charlene Jackson has demonstrated a dangerous pattern of granting full custody to sexual abusers, blatantly stating 'personal motives' while usurping safe parents' rights to protect their children. She imposes no-contact orders on these innocent parents, hindering their ability to monitor their children's well-being. As members of this community, it defies comprehension that an individual, herself previously protected against domestic abuse, could turn a blind eye to such heinous acts of child endangerment."

Each time The Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct irresponsibly neglects to hold Jackson accountable for credible claims of Judicial Misconduct, they contribute to the victimization of parents and are responsible for endangering children and bankrupting families.

“The court never even reviewed the evidence. They allowed a police officer to commit obvious perjury—contradicting himself in writing—and gave him full custody of a child he abused. Now my child is living with her abuser without her mother - the parent who has cared for her daily since birth,” Gerlach said.

“These are not merely personal allegations—they signify a systemic breakdown where a law enforcement officer, who is supposed to ensure public safety, instead used his authority to harm, intimidate, silence, and meticulously dismantle the life of his former fiancé. Freeman promised Gerlach he would destroy her life if she left him, he is making good on his promise” remarked an advocate familiar with the case. “The profound evidence of perjury and egregious misuse of legal processes should raise serious concerns about the integrity of the Mesa Police Department and its internal accountability mechanisms, as well as the Maricopa County Family Court lack of oversight.”

“When perjury and fraud on the court are used to gain an unfair advantage in family court, the system becomes a tool of abuse which is never in the best interests of a child. We must not allow those in positions of power to misuse their authority to manipulate the legal system, and we must hold abusers accountable and stop shielding them from justice.”

A Pattern of Retaliation, Perjury, and Abuse of Authority

Gerlach’s complaint outlines a chilling pattern of abuse, misconduct and retaliation by Freeman, including:

• Physical and sexual assault in front of their daughter.
• Filing false police reports to intimidate Gerlach and to initiate bogus criminal charges.
• Committing perjury and providing contradictory sworn statements in multiple courts.
• Accessing law enforcement databases for personal use.
• Manipulating timesheets to inflate his pay and committing workers compensation fraud.
• Participating in a suspected hoax officer-involved shooting and later retaliating against the real victim.
• Orchestrating a smear campaign against Gerlach by making false claims she is an abusive liar with mental health issues; a pattern Freeman has repeated with all of his former girlfriends and fiancés.

Despite these claims—and multiple formal complaints from other victims—Freeman remains employed by the Mesa Police Department. Gerlach alleges her constitutional rights have been violated, she has been stalked, harassed, and intimidated by City of Mesa employees and law enforcement officers for speaking out. “There are no whistleblower protections for former spouses of police officers. Freeman and his law enforcement allies have made sure I suffer for exposing the truth,” said Gerlach. “This is not just my story. There are many others like me.”

Community Advocates Demand Action and Accountability

Advocates for Erin and Brooklyn are calling for:

• An independent investigation into allegations of Freeman's misconduct both on and off duty.
• A thorough examination of all legal documents, police reports, applications for warrants and testimonies provided by Freeman in every case where he has given testimony or submitted sworn filings in child custody and criminal proceedings.
• Immediate accountability including criminal charges and placement on the BRADY list for Freeman's repeated acts of legal misconduct including perjury, perjury by inconsistent statements, false statements to law enforcement, filing frivolous police reports, filing false charges, fraud on the court and official misconduct.
• An Immediate investigation of the Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct and accountability for their repeated failure to competently investigate serious complaints of misconduct.
• A formal investigation by Arizona POST, with explanations for why Freeman has maintained certification despite extensive complaints.
• Immediate notification of Freeman's dishonesty to conviction integrity units within the Maricopa County Attorney and Public Defender’s offices.

"The State of Arizona and The City of Mesa have allowed Shawn Freeman to misappropriate hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds as if it was his personal piggy bank to fulfill his personal vendetta of destroying my life as he promised he would do if I left him. Freeman has a long list of victims he has harmed over the years; I was not the first, and I certainly will not be the last. Freeman will likely evade accountability for his repeated abuse of others due to his personal and professional connections within the justice system, which include lawyers, judges, and various law enforcement officials at all levels. I have witnessed Freeman manipulate other law enforcement agencies, attorneys, judges, and other professionals into assisting him with his personal vendetta against me. Shawn presents himself as a victim while conveniently omitting significant material information to convince others to do his dirty work for him. Shawn claims to be a victim of every woman he has ever dated. After each breakup, Freeman has initiated a smear campaign, labeling his exes as crazy and abusive. I was taken in by his narratives about his past girlfriends and fiancés; I felt sympathy for him until we parted ways, at which point he began making the same unfounded claims about me. This cycle has repeated itself. I have supplied multiple agencies with evidence that Freeman has deceived them, including the Gilbert Police Department. They have failed to take action to prevent Freeman from continuing his escalating acts of legal abuse, despite being aware that he filed false police reports, made false statements to law enforcement, misled officers and investigators while identifying as a police officer, and committed numerous acts of perjury and fraud on the court in three different jurisdictions. The State of Arizona has been informed through formal complaints and a Notice of Claim that they have a certified peace officer who is exhibiting a lack of integrity by intentionally lying on a public record while under oath, as well as a Superior Court Judge who has accumulated many serious complaints, including the poor decision to grant custody of a child to a pedophile " said Gerlach.

"The State of Arizona must ensure that members of its justice system are held accountable and cease the intimidation, threats, and other extreme retaliatory actions aimed at silencing victims of the Arizona Police or the Arizona Family Courts. The constitutional rights of Arizonans, especially the First Amendment, must be upheld. If you prefer not to have your crimes and misconduct brought to light while in public service, then do not engage in such behavior! Shawn Freeman, the Mesa Police Department, and Maricopa County Judge Charlene Jackson each have their own records of misconduct, with a significant number of similar complaints and allegations of corruption against them. Several Notices of Claim and Civil Rights lawsuits resolved by the City of Mesa detail claims that mirror the allegations I have made publicly. The City of Mesa has a history of issuing press releases, official statements, and media comments claiming that every act of misconduct they are accused of is attributable to someone else. They do not accept accountability, and neither does Freeman. In numerous lawsuits, plaintiff attorneys assert that Mesa's Internal Affairs - Professional Standards Unit repeatedly fails to hold their officers accountable. There seems to be a much larger issue in Mesa than what is being highlighted in my case."

"Employees of the City of Mesa and the Mesa Police Department have stalked, intimidated, and harassed me, instilling fear for my safety and persistently attempting to silence me due to my exposure of the crimes committed by their officers. Official misconduct, abuse of power, and corruption are widespread in Arizona with minimal oversight. State agencies like Arizona POST and the Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct are failing the citizens of Arizona by ignoring legitimate complaints. Victims are facing retaliation for exercising their rights to file legitimate complaints, and no one is intervening to stop it. The cycle of abuse persists with no resolution in sight. If you speak out about the misconduct or corruption you suffered as a victim of the Arizona Family Courts or Arizona Law Enforcement, the State of Arizona will allow you to be retaliated against. Too many victims have been failed by this system, including my innocent daughter," Gerlach remarked.

The State of Arizona must ensure that anyone who misuses their authority is held responsible, demonstrating to the citizens of Arizona that no one is above the law.

Community advocates are calling on the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (AZPOST) and the Arizona judiciary to initiate independent investigations into the actions of Freeman and Jackson, as well as to implement measures that will safeguard the public from those who misuse their authority.

Gerlach is urging the Arizona Governor, the Arizona Attorney General, and the United States Department of Justice to immediately conduct an independent investigation into Officer Freeman’s behavior and the systemic failures within the Maricopa County Family Court.

How you can help

• Share this story on social media to raise awareness
• File a formal complaint with Arizona POST here
• File a formal complaint with the Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct here
• Sign the change.org petition to help stop Judge Charlene Jackson from victimizing more families.
• Contact local representatives including the Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and the Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs.
• Contact the Maricopa County Superior Court Presiding Judge Joseph Welty
• Contact the Maricopa County Family Court Presiding Judge Ronda Fisk.

Erin Gerlach is available for interviews and is prepared to speak publicly about her experience. All supporting documentation—including the full complaint and supporting evidence—can be provided to members of the press.

To schedule an interview with Erin or obtain additional information, please email our Media Contact Bridgette.