OFFICER RECORDS
Tonga, Spencer
Overview
In the Ben Schneider (Reckless Ben) case, Spencer Tonga investigated the March 8 complaint and issued trespass notices, helped detain people during the March 11 Airbnb operation, and transported Ben to jail.
Employment
Officer Spencer Tonga began working for the American Fork Police Department on October 7, 2024. The National Police Index has not yet been updated to include Officer Tonga, since he was recently hired.
-
Transparent Utah Public Compensation Records Fiscal Year Entity Employee Title Wages Benefits Total 2026 American Fork City Tonga, Spencer Police Officer I $72,619.16 $23,918.57 $96,537.73 2025 American Fork City Tonga, Spencer Police Officer I $42,471.07 $15,003.21 $57,474.28
Police Encounters
-
Officer Spencer Tonga was involved in the following police encounters:
- Ben Schneider (Reckless Ben)
-
March 8, 2026: Tonga interviewed Benjamin Adams, reviewed his camera roll with consent, and photographed relevant text messages. He then spoke with Ben and Tyler Shaw at the vehicle stop and issued trespass notices. His account appears on pages 5–7 of the incident report. Tonga’s accounts appear in the March 8 report and his March 11 supplement. The March 11 probable-cause statement identifies him as the submitting officer.
-
March 11, 2026: Tonga assisted with serving the warrant, calling people outside, and detaining them. His supplement records handcuffing and searching a man and escorting Ben to Laycock’s vehicle for transport to AFPD. See pages 11 and 17.
-
March 11, 2026: Tonga handcuffed Ben after the interviews, transported him to Utah County Jail, and booked him there. The March 11 probable-cause statement identifies Tonga as the submitting officer. See pages 17 and 30 of the report and page 2 of the statement.