PHOENIX — The City of Phoenix unanimously approved a series of reforms intended to address some of the criticisms mentioned in the Department of Justice's scathing report about the city's police department.
On Tuesday, the city council voted 9-0 to approve a list of proposals intended to enhance accountability and transparency after the DOJ accused Phoenix police of engaging in a pattern of conduct that violated the constitutional rights of residents.
A memo of those reforms includes the following:
- Implementing a hotline for citizens to file complaints against officers
- Prioritize staffing of 911 dispatchers
- Expanding use of body-worn cameras
- Creating an "Inspector Sergeant" position in all precincts to investigate officer misconduct
- The agency's Professional Standards Bureau shall publish clear deadlines for completing investigative reports
- Update policies with community input regarding interactions with young and vulnerable populations
"Our commitment to constitutional policing means we must improve the tools to self-assess and self-correct and put in place measures that are pivotal for high-performing government agencies," the city memo states.
Police Chief Michael Sullivan told the council he hopes to have the entire department undergo training on a new use-of-force policy by Jan. 1.
Several citizens spoke during Tuesday's council meeting and some expressed skepticism about the police department being capable of policing and reforming itself.
"Nothing more than mere band-aids covering bullet wounds," Percy Christian, an organizer with Poder in Action, said.
Other proposals reviewed by the council on Tuesday include adding four new positions within the police department to form a new "Compliance Analyst Team," which would include one police research supervisor and three police research analysts. Records show these positions would cost about $500,000.
"Tonight's action is not meant to be a remedy for everything. It's not meant to be a banishing act. It is meant to make an honest attempt to do something," Council Member Carlos Galindo-Elvira said.
There were also mixed feelings on whether the police department requires a consent decree or federal oversight.
"The Department of Justice is not going to come. They're not going to help. We're just going to be having the same conversation. We'll just be spending more time on lawyers to do it," Council Member Jim Waring said.
The City of Phoenix and the DOJ have yet to agree on how to move forward with their investigation, whether that be with oversight or without.
"This is very important because if we don't get it right, it's our reputation on the line," Council Member Laura Pastor said.
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