Washington, DC
The U.S. Justice Department released its findings Thursday on the Phoenix Police Department and the City of Phoenix.
The report indicates that the police department and the city engage in widespread practices that violate civil rights and the Safe Streets Act.
While the city and the police department have initiated some reforms, including new use-of-force policies and training, and investment in homeless shelters, these steps are insufficient, federal prosecutors allege.
Many reforms remain unimplemented or only exist on paper.
The investigation showed a pattern of excessive force, unlawful treatment of homeless individuals, discrimination against black, Hispanic, and Indigenous people, violations of protestors’ rights, and discrimination against people with behavioral health disabilities.
According to the Justice Department, the key findings include:
- Excessive Force: The Phoenix Police Department frequently escalates force unreasonably, including improper use of tasers, projectiles, police dogs, and deadly force. Officers also delay medical aid, as seen in the tragic case of a man who died after being shot, hit with projectiles, and attacked by a police dog without receiving timely medical assistance.
- Treatment of Homeless People: The police department has an unconstitutional approach to homelessness, which includes stopping, detaining, and arresting homeless individuals without reasonable suspicion and seizing their property without notice. This criminalization of homelessness is unlawful and inhumane.
- Racial Discrimination: The police disproportionately target Black, Hispanic, and Native American people. For example, Black drivers are 144% more likely than white drivers to be arrested or cited for minor violations. The department also enforces drug and alcohol laws more severely against these communities.
- Violation of Protestors’ Rights: The department retaliates against those who criticize it. An example is officers distributing a “challenge coin” depicting a protestor shot by police, which undermines trust in law enforcement, federal officials stated.
- Discrimination Against People with Behavioral Health Disabilities: The police department mishandles calls involving behavioral health issues, often responding with unnecessary force instead of appropriate care.
- Treatment of Children: The department fails to account for the vulnerabilities of children, using the same tactics on them as on adults, which harms their physical and mental well-being.
Officials stated that the investigation was thorough and involved extensive interviews, document reviews, and analysis of body-worn camera footage.
Federal officials say the findings indicate systemic issues due to inadequate supervision, training, and accountability within the police department.
In conclusion, significant changes are necessary to address the deep-rooted issues identified in our investigation and to ensure constitutional policing in Phoenix.
“As I close, I want to acknowledge that police officers have a difficult job and perform often unrecognized acts of heroism to keep the public safe. I also want to acknowledge the countless number of people in Phoenix who worked with us throughout this investigation, including community advocates and leaders and families of people subjected to deadly police force and police officers.” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said.