An internal investigation into allegations of sexual harassment in the Buckeye Fire Department in Arizona concluded that two firefighters engaged in severe and pervasive sexual harassment of fire cadets and civilian ride-along participants. The investigation also substantiated allegations that a fire captain allowed a high school student to spend the night at a fire station in violation of department policy, and that another firefighter threatened coworkers who raised concerns about his conduct.

The investigation involved Captain Joe Frazier and Engineer Ryan Clark, both of whom have since left the Buckeye Fire Department and are now employed by the Lake Havasu City Fire Department.

The investigation began in April 2025, when Fire Chief Jake Rhoades notified the city’s Human Resources Department of allegations involving Captain Frazier and several female employees. Additional concerns involved a high school student participating in the department’s ride-along program who reportedly had been observed sitting on Captain Frazier’s lap at a fire station. Witnesses also reported that Captain Frazier had a photograph of the student posing shirtless in a cowboy hat on his phone.

As investigators interviewed firefighters and ride-along participants, they uncovered allegations of repeated sexually explicit conversations involving Captain Frazier and Clark. Witnesses described an environment in which cadets and civilian riders were routinely questioned about their sexual experiences, sexual preferences, virginity, and intimate relationships.

According to the investigative report, Captain Frazier and Clark frequently directed sexually explicit questions at young people interested in joining the fire service. Witnesses described the conduct as a recurring feature of the station’s culture, rather than isolated incidents. Some indicated that cadets and riders felt pressured to participate in the conversations because they were seeking careers in the fire service.

One witness described the questioning as a regular occurrence, explaining that Captain Frazier and Clark would ask cadets increasingly personal questions about their sexual experiences. Other witnesses reported that the two firefighters made sexually explicit comments and jokes in the presence of cadets, riders, and other department personnel.

Investigators also examined allegations involving Captain Frazier’s relationship with a high school student participating in the ride-along program. The student had reportedly been observed sitting on Captain Frazier’s lap in a station recliner. Captain Frazier denied the allegation, maintaining that the student had been sitting on the armrest. The student likewise denied any inappropriate conduct and described Captain Frazier as a mentor who was helping him pursue a firefighting career.

Buckeye police separately investigated the incident and determined that the student was 18 years old. Police closed their investigation without criminal charges. In his report, a police sergeant concluded that even if inappropriate conduct had occurred, there was no criminal offense identified because both individuals were consenting adults.

Although the city’s administrative investigators could not substantiate the allegation that the student had been sitting on Captain Frazier’s lap, they confirmed that Captain Frazier had allowed the student to spend the night at the fire station on two occasions. Department policy required ride-along participants to leave by 11:00 p.m., unless an emergency incident or written approval from the Fire Chief permitted otherwise.

The investigation also addressed allegations involving Clark, who reportedly became angry after learning that coworkers had raised concerns about Captain Frazier’s conduct. Three witnesses described statements by Clark that caused them to fear for their safety. Investigators found that Clark had threatened to confront employees involved in the investigation and had made statements interpreted as threats of violence.

Witnesses also reported that Clark carried a firearm in his personal vehicle while at work, and that concerns about his behavior caused some firefighters to lock their bunkroom doors at night. Investigators substantiated the allegation that Clark’s conduct caused coworkers to fear for their safety, finding violations of the city’s workplace violence policies.

Both Captain Frazier and Clark denied engaging in sexual harassment. Captain Frazier characterized the conversations as joking and maintained that cadets and riders participated voluntarily. He acknowledged that some conversations involved sexual subjects but disputed that his conduct constituted harassment.

The city’s investigators rejected those explanations and substantiated the allegations that Captain Frazier and Clark engaged in ongoing inappropriate conversations of a sexual nature with cadets and civilian riders.

The investigative report concluded:

• The comments that have been substantiated are severe and pervasive and in violation of the City of Buckeye’s Human Resources’ and Fire Department’s Sexual Harassment policies.

Investigators identified violations of the city’s sexual harassment and professional conduct policies, as well as departmental rules prohibiting harassment, offensive conduct, and conduct bringing discredit upon the department. Buckeye’s communications director, John O’Halloran, provided a written statement to ABC15, stating:

• The City of Buckeye does not tolerate harassment, inappropriate conduct or violations of city policies. We hold employees to high standards of professionalism and accountability and remain committed to providing a safe environment for our employees, program participants and community.