Unions and County Attorney Condemn DOJ’s Scathing Report on Phoenix Police Civil Rights Abuses

In a press conference held on Tuesday, police unions and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office criticized an extensive Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into the city of Phoenix and its police department. The investigation concluded that officers regularly violated civil and constitutional rights and used excessive and illegal force.

The Arizona Police Association (APA), which represents officers in various departments across the state, including Phoenix, challenged the findings. “The DOJ focused on a precious few cases,” said Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “They used a tiny, tiny sample to find exactly what they wanted to find. The report doesn’t even pass the smell test.”

Law enforcement agencies and advocacy groups have voiced their opposition to the DOJ report, which determined that Phoenix Police Department (PD) violated the constitutional rights of homeless individuals, protesters, and minority residents.

On Tuesday, the APA warned that the report might lead to the department being placed under a consent decree. This would allow the federal government to oversee necessary changes. Law enforcement groups, along with former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, have critically viewed consent decrees.

“The Department of Justice, based on their own numbers, has a 30-year track record of totally disastrous failures,” stated APA President Justin Harris. “Why bring that into this city?”

Though there is minimal conclusive evidence that consent decrees lead to increased crime, research suggests they can improve accountability within police departments and public satisfaction with their performance.

The DOJ has yet to announce whether Phoenix PD will be subjected to a consent decree. Meanwhile, the city has requested federal officials to consider issuing a “technical assistance letter” instead. This would empower the DOJ to make recommendations rather than enforce their findings.