The Phoenix Police Department (PPD) is taking its own path to reform, releasing a detailed report titled "The Road to Reform" just as the Department of Justice (DOJ) prepares to unveil the findings of its extensive two-year investigation. Phoenix PD's proactive stance was outlined in a 53-page report, which covers significant policy overhauls and reflects on episodes that have shaped the need for internal evaluation. According to abc15.com, the department claimed "PPD…is well on its way to becoming the type of self-assessing, self-correcting law enforcement agency."
The City of Phoenix, wary after years of scrutiny, has made it clear to the DOJ that a consent decree—a federal monitoring arrangement—is an unattractive option. It contends that such a setup would be "lengthy, complicated, and expensive.” Instead, Phoenix officers are advocating for a less intrusive form of intervention, a "technical assistance letter" as mentioned in a city representative's letter to the DOJ this week. This approach would directly contrast the hands-on oversight a consent decree implies, according to documentation from 12news.com.
The DOJ's impending report follows a rigorous investigation that analyzed over 20,000 police body-camera videos and sifted through more than 80,000 documents. Despite the trove of materials collected and the hours spent in field examination through ride-alongs, city officials had previously expressed their dissatisfaction that they were not given draft access to the DOJ report. Phoenix police indicate they have made considerable changes in the meantime, focusing on areas such as use of force and mental health response.
In defense of their position, the City of Phoenix cited the reforms it had already enacted, arguing that such progress precludes the need for federal encroachment. They stressed existing improvements, "Given the reforms already developed and being implemented by PPD... it does not make sense for Phoenix," as per their letter to the DOJ. These sentiments speak to a growing concern over the transparency of the investigation among elected officials and residents alike. This conversation is set against a backdrop of justice reform, ignited by protests and police actions in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, which instigated the DOJ's initial probe into PPD in 2021. The complete report by the city, showcases a comprehensive review of department policies and addresses the historical significance of these reforms.
