PHOENIX — The Phoenix City Council voted Wednesday to extend its contract with Police Chief Michael Sullivan another year.
When Sullivan was appointed as the city's interim police chief in 2022, the council ratified a one-year contract with a starting salary of $232,000 and the opportunity to renew it for an additional 24 months.
Phoenix's elected leaders chose to keep Sullivan as chief until August 2025. Before Sullivan's extended contract expires, the city plans to conduct a search for a permanent police chief.
The council's action means Sullivan will continue to lead the agency as it continues to react to the critical Department of Justice report that identified several systemic problems throughout the police department.
The federal agency's report accused the city's police department of violating the rights of minorities and the homeless population.
Sullivan has said the city's already been making changes to address issues outlined in the DOJ investigation.
It is not clear yet how the city and DOJ will formally address the allegations contained in the report.
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