Arizona Senate Hearing on Phoenix Fire Department Discrimination Claims Suspended, Temporarily

An Arizona Senate committee hearing set to address allegations of discrimination within the Phoenix Fire Department was abruptly canceled today. This decision came after both city representatives and the fire department declined to attend.

Sen. Jake Hoffman, the Republican chairman of the Senate Government Committee, expressed his frustration, criticizing the city for prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion over public safety. He pointed to promotions of non-white and female firefighters as a focal point of his allegations.

During the session, Hoffman labeled the absence of city officials and Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes as an act of “pathetic cowardice.” His comments followed the failure of any city representatives to confirm their attendance despite invitations issued on December 3.

In emails sent shortly before the scheduled hearing, the city and Mayes indicated they could not publicly discuss an ongoing investigation into the Phoenix Fire Department. Hoffman responded by suggesting that Mayes was avoiding questions regarding a civil rights complaint against the department that contradicted her political views.

Richie Taylor, a spokesperson for Mayes, clarified that the high volume of complaints handled by her office can lead to a prolonged resolution process, sometimes up to a year.

Hoffman alleged that the Phoenix Fire Department favors women and minorities in promotions. He reiterated that these claims mirror allegations laid out in a civil rights complaint, asserting this practice jeopardizes public safety by not prioritizing the most qualified individuals for leadership.

Refusing to let affected fire department employees share their experiences without city representatives present, Hoffman vowed to reconvene the hearing once the city agrees to send officials or is compelled to do so legally.

Hoffman also accused the Phoenix Fire Department of promoting individuals based on identity factors rather than merit, a charge that resonates with broader Republican criticisms of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives in various sectors.

In defending the city’s practices, supporters of DEI argue that diverse workplaces facilitate innovation and enhance team dynamics.

Hoffman further claimed the city violated an Arizona law he sponsored in 2021, which prohibits mandatory training that assigns blame based on race or gender. He insisted that the fire department’s cultural programs and review processes infringe upon this legislation.

The senator indicated that had city representatives attended, there might have been an opportunity to clarify the relevance of such training to firefighting roles.

After the hearing’s cancellation, Hoffman criticized the city for purportedly delaying its response to his invitation. He claimed that the city misrepresented its offer for Fire Chief Mike Duran to testify on the promotion process, a point contested by city attorney Julie Kriegh.

Kriegh confirmed that the committee had declined the city’s proposal for Duran to address the hearing, focusing instead on matters unrelated to ongoing investigations. The city, through Kriegh, emphasized that it takes discrimination allegations seriously and is committed to addressing them properly.

Documented correspondence shows that the city’s formal response to the invitation occurred on December 11, the same day as the hearing, countering Hoffman’s assertions regarding timing.

Mayes maintained that, under Arizona law, civil rights complaints must remain confidential until a lawsuit is pursued, which would legally prevent her from discussing specific complaints at a public hearing. She cited an increase in complaints and a lack of legislative funding as complicating factors for her office.

Following the cancellation, Sen. Eva Diaz, a Democrat on the committee, voiced her disappointment, stating she had anticipated questioning the complainants. She emphasized the need to hear all parties involved before reaching any conclusions regarding the allegations.

Hoffman concluded by criticizing both Mayes and the city for their apparent disengagement, urging accountability for the public trust they are meant to serve.