POLICE SAY OFFICIALS DIDN’T REPORT ABUSE

PHOENIX — Police have recommended charges against the principal, athletic director and head coach at a prominent Arizona high school, saying they knew about allegations of abuse involving the football team but failed to alert authorities.

Recently released records say at least four players were abused by older teammates in locker rooms during the past year at Hamilton High School in Chandler. Authorities say some of the attacks amounted to criminal offenses, including sexual assault.

In one instance, the records say, a player had his pants and underwear forced down and was spanked. Some of the encounters were recorded and posted on social media.

Three players have been charged with crimes, including one accused of child molestation.

Officers who searched the school this summer said they found documents and discovered information about the misconduct allegations that should have been turned over to authorities. Among the items seized from the principal’s office was an email with a screen shot of an exchange reportedly between two players about how coaches knew what was going on but didn’t do anything about it.

Documents also were seized from the athletic director and another school employee, though it’s unclear whether they were required to report that information.