By Jack Newman For Mailonline

Published: 05:55 EDT, 6 June 2022 | Updated: 09:48 EDT, 6 June 2022

Three Tempe, Arizona police officers have been put on 'non-disciplinary paid administrative leave' amid an investigation into the death of a homeless man, who drowned while pleading for their help.

Newly released bodycam footage and a transcript of the incident show Sean Bickings, 34, jumped into Tempe Town Lake in Arizona on May 28 after a reported disturbance with his wife.

Bickings is seen getting into the water after officers arrived on the scene at 5am following reports of a physical altercation, which the couple denied.

Sean Bickings, 34, jumped into Tempe Town Lake in Arizona on May 28 after a reported disturbance with his wife

The 34-year-old (pictured) drowned while three police officers allegedly watched as he plead for their help

While checking if the couple had any outstanding arrest warrants, Bickings climbed over a four-foot fence and jumped in the water.

He is heard saying: 'I'm going to go for a swim. I'm free to go, right?'

The cops told the 34-year-old he was not allowed to enter the lake while standing on the other side of the fence, as he leaped in.

He is seen swimming away from the shore while one officer is heard saying: 'How far do you think he is going to be able to swim?'

The edited bodycam footage shared by officers then ends before Bickings drowned, because they said it was too sensitive.

While checking if the couple had any outstanding arrest warrants, Bickings climbed over a four-foot fence and jumped in the water

He is seen swimming away from the shore while one officer is heard saying: 'How far do you think he is going to be able to swim?'

Instead they provided a transcript in which Bickings desperately appealing for help from the officers.

He said: 'I'm drowning.'

One officer then replied: 'Come back over to the pylon.'

Bickings said: 'I can't, I can't.'

The other officer then said: 'OK, I'm not jumping in after you.'

He begged: 'Please help me. Please, please, please. I can't touch. Oh God, Please help me. Help me.'

Bickings' wife who was still on the scene also pleaded with officers to intervene, saying: 'I'm just distraught because he's drowning right in front of you and you won't help.'

Officers had arrived at the scene at 5am after reports of the physical altercation, which the couple denied

The transcript claims one of the officers then threatened to put her in his police car unless she calmed down.

One officer reportedly tried to get a boat to rescue Bickings but it was too late and he dropped below the surface of the water.

His body was not recovered until 11.20am.

Andy Anderson, a former assistant chief with Phoenix Police, told 12News, 'This is not a lake patrol team that has the equipment to do a water rescue, these are street cops.'  

City Manager Andrew Ching and Police Chief Jeff Glover said the death was a 'tragedy.' 

The incident and the police response is being investigated by Scottsdale police and the department of public safety.

Officials said in a statement: 'The three Tempe police officers who responded to the call and witnessed the drowning have been placed on non-disciplinary paid administrative leave pending the investigations, as is customary in critical incidents.' 

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