Justice Department to Investigate Phoenix Police Department and City of Phoenix for Use of Force

PHOENIX – The United States Attorney General and the Department of Justice announced Thursday that they have opened a top-down investigation – a “pattern or practice investigation” – into the city of Phoenix and the Department of Justice. Phoenix police over its use of- force policies, general policing and allegations of retaliation against protesters.

Among the specific elements that the investigation will examine:

• assess all types of use of force by Phoenix police officers, including lethal force
• whether Phoenix Police retaliate against anyone for conduct protected by the First Amendment
• whether Phoenix police engage in discriminatory police activity
• whether the Phoenix Police illegally seize or dispose of the property of homeless people
• assess the City and Phoenix police systems and practices for responding to people with disabilities

“The investigation will include a full review of [Phoenix Police Department] policies, training, supervision and force investigations, as well as [Phoenix Police Department’s] accountability systems, including the receipt of conduct complaints, investigation, review, adjudication and discipline, ”the Justice Department said in a press release.

INVESTIGATION: Officials create “fictitious gang” to punish protesters in Phoenix

The DOJ said it informed Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams, and other city officials about the investigation.

In a statement prepared in the wake of the DOJ’s announcement, Mayor Gallego said she welcomed the investigation and would support the DOJ’s review.

“Comprehensive reform of policing in the city of Phoenix has been my priority since day one of taking office. The recommendations that emerge from this review will help us in our ongoing efforts to become an even safer, stronger and more equitable city. she said.

ABC15 INQUIRIES CONTRIBUTE TO DOJ’S ACTION

Sources told ABC15 that the station’s reports of the protest cases were specifically discussed with senior DOJ officials.

As part of an ongoing ABC15 investigation, Politically Charged is focusing on arrests and prosecutions by Phoenix Police and the Maricopa County District Attorney’s Office.

In February, Dave Biscobing of ABC15 reported on an investigation that highlighted officials creating a “fictitious gang” to punish protesters in Phoenix.

Additionally, after shooting a protester in the groin, a special team of Phoenix police officers celebrated the shooting with commemorative coins to sell and share.

A pair of outside investigations ordered by the City of Phoenix in response to ABC15 reports of the police protest cases have been completed and will be released to the public next week.

DECLARATIONS BY OFFICIALS

“When we investigate patterns or practices to determine whether the Constitution or federal law has been violated, our goal is to promote transparency and accountability,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “It increases public confidence, which in turn increases public safety. We know that law enforcement shares these goals.

“One of the highest priorities of the Civil Rights Division is to ensure that everyone in this country enjoys law and order that is effective, transparent and free from discrimination,” said the attorney general. Deputy Kristen Clarke. “Police officers across the country must exercise their authority in a manner that respects the Constitution, federal civil rights laws and human dignity. “

Part of the US Department of Justice statement reads as follows:

“The investigation is being conducted in accordance with the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act 1994, which prohibits state and local governments from engaging in any pattern or practice of conduct by police officers. law enforcement agencies that deprive individuals of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law. The law allows the Department of Justice to remedy such misconduct through civil litigation. This is the seventy-third investigation by a law enforcement agency conducted under this law since its enactment in 1994. The ministry will assess law enforcement practices under the First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States, as well as under the Safe Streets Act of 1968, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice in Washington, DC, will conduct this investigation.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego released a statement following the announcement, reading in part:

“I welcome the review of the Phoenix Police Department by the US Department of Justice. Comprehensive reform of policing in the city of Phoenix has been my priority since day one of taking office. The recommendations that emerge from this review will help us in our efforts to become an even safer, stronger and more equitable city. Along with the City Manager and the Chief of Police, I stand ready to support the USDOJ throughout this review process.

Read Mayor Gallego’s full statement below.

“The top priority of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association is to maintain a high standard of community policing and to promote ethical policies that protect police officers and our community. We have confidence in the work of the Phoenix Police Department and our officers in the street, and we will cooperate fully with the Justice Department’s investigation, “PLEA Chairman Michael” Britt “London said in a statement.