Maricopa County Urges AG Bondi to Dismiss Lawsuit and Consent Decrees Impeding Police Work

By Staff Reporter |

Maricopa County officials are urging U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to reconsider an ongoing lawsuit against the Phoenix Police Department and to impose stricter limitations on consent decrees. In a letter addressed to Bondi on Tuesday, Board of Supervisors Chairman Thomas Galvin articulated the need for more autonomy in local law enforcement.

“My colleagues and I share a commitment to effective policing,” Galvin stated. “Federal oversight undermines federalism.” His letter highlights a growing concern among local leaders regarding the implications of federal intervention in community policing.

Galvin expressed his belief that recent judicial constraints on law enforcement represent “an assault on federalism.” He pointed out that, following the 2013 ruling in Ortega Melendres, et al. v. Arpaio, et al., Maricopa County has not recorded instances of racial profiling related to traffic stops. This notable point stems from a lawsuit alleging that the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office engaged in racial profiling when questioning Latino residents about their immigration status.

“One of the largest obstacles to protecting our citizens is legal,” Galvin asserted, describing consent decrees and court-appointed monitors as impediments that hinder local governments from regaining control over their law enforcement agencies. He emphasized the significant financial burden the county has shouldered, exceeding $300 million to comply with the 2013 federal court ruling.

In his appeal, Galvin called upon Bondi to abandon the lawsuit against the Phoenix Police Department. The Department of Justice, under the current administration, has alleged multiple civil rights violations by the police, including excessive use of force and unlawful detentions. These allegations emerged after an investigation initiated in August 2021, during which the DOJ sought to impose a consent decree, a request the city declined.

“This situation sets a dangerous precedent, potentially leading to federal control over policing in America’s fifth-largest city,” Galvin warned. He emphasized that resources should be dedicated to addressing pressing issues like drug trafficking and violence rather than complying with judicial mandates.

Support for limiting federal oversight is not isolated. Congressman Abe Hamadeh has also voiced concerns, calling the DOJ’s report on the Phoenix Police Department an unwarranted attack on effective policing. He criticized the investigation as a “desperate witch hunt,” suggesting it endangers both officers and the public.

As tensions mount over federal oversight of local law enforcement, the outcome of these appeals could significantly impact public safety and community trust in police operations in Maricopa County.