The City of Phoenix (CoP) and the Phoenix Police Department (PPD) are actively engaging with the findings from a nearly three-year investigation conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). This marks a significant moment as city leaders and community members examine the evidence and insights supporting the DOJ’s conclusions.
According to Phoenix city leadership, making decisions that impact public safety without thoroughly reviewing the report is not in the best interest of residents. The City of Phoenix has communicated this stance to the DOJ in their written response, “City of Phoenix Response to U.S. Department of Justice Report: June 13, 2024 (PDF).”
This morning, the U.S. Department of Justice released a report of its investigation into the City of Phoenix and Phoenix Police Department.
Read Phoenix PD’s statement regarding the DOJ Report here: https://t.co/61XBuKKk7q pic.twitter.com/78JWw2KO3q
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) June 13, 2024
The City of Phoenix’
City Manager Jeff Barton emphasized the importance of this process in a message to city employees, stating, “We are taking all allegations seriously and are planning to review this lengthy report with an open mind. Self-reflection is an important step in continuous improvement, and our Police Department has demonstrated a commitment to reform by making improvements to policy, discipline, internal investigations, and training.”
The leadership of Phoenix maintains that any decisions impacting public safety should be made with thorough consideration of the DOJ’s report. This sentiment was reiterated in the City of Phoenix’s official response to the DOJ findings, underlining the necessity of a careful and measured approach to any proposed changes.
Interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan highlighted the need for a comprehensive understanding of the DOJ’s findings. “We want to see not only what these individual incidents are that the Department of Justice refers to, but we also want to see whether it included policy change or whether it possibly included discipline, or other changes within the department as far as practices go,” Sullivan stated.
Given the potential long-term consequences of the findings, both the city and PPD are committed to a thorough analysis of the costs and benefits associated with any binding, long-term agreements with the DOJ. The Phoenix Police Department has shown a dedication to continuous improvement through enhancements in policy, accountability, and training, which are detailed in the report “The Phoenix Police Department: The Road to Reform.”
Throughout the nearly three-year investigation, the CoP and PPD have fully cooperated with the DOJ. This cooperation included providing thousands of requested documents and Body Worn Camera videos, as well as granting access to trainings, interviews, and ride-alongs. The city acknowledges the dedication of the DOJ in identifying issues that warrant careful review and remains committed to improving service to all Phoenix residents, independent of federal intervention.
The City of Phoenix is open to continued dialogue with the DOJ and is prepared for the next steps in this process. For more information about the DOJ’s investigation into the City of Phoenix and the Phoenix Police Department, as well as resources on police reforms, visit phoenix.gov/doj.
Additional Resources
- DOJ Civil Rights Division – https://www.justice.gov/crt
- DOJ Police Reform Work – https://www.justice.gov/crt/file/922421/download
- Full Findings Report – https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-finds-civil-rights-violations-phoenix-police-department-and-city-phoenix
- Executive Summary (English) – https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-finds-civil-rights-violations-phoenix-police-department-and-city-phoenix
- Executive Summary (Spanish) – https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-finds-civil-rights-violations-phoenix-police-department-and-city-phoenix
