Justice Department Alleges Excessive Force by Phoenix Police
In a damning report, the federal government has accused the Phoenix Police Department of widespread use of excessive force and discrimination against Black, Hispanic, and Native American communities. The allegations also include unlawful detention, ticketing, and arrests of homeless individuals.
However, a prominent police union representative has dismissed the investigation as “illogical.” The Phoenix Police Department has responded by stating they are reviewing the report and are committed to improving policies, accountability, and training in the country’s fifth-largest city.
The Justice Department’s findings are the result of a nearly three-year investigation into abuse claims dating back to 2016. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke highlighted several instances of misconduct, including improper use of Tasers, projectiles, leg restraints, police dogs, and deadly force. Officers were also found to delay medical aid and use excessive force on injured individuals.
Clarke stated that the findings expose “long-standing dysfunction” due to inadequate supervision, training, and accountability. The report details several specific incidents:
- Officers shot and killed a man who was throwing rocks at their vehicle.
- Officers fired 10 times at a seemingly suicidal woman who had drawn a gun, then delayed attending to her for over nine minutes. She died from her injuries.
- After shooting a man, officers continued to fire at him with non-lethal projectiles and deployed a police dog. They waited over nine minutes before providing medical aid.
- Officers used stunbag rounds on an armed man who was already incapacitated, delaying CPR until it was too late. He was pronounced dead upon their arrival.
- A suicidal man was pulled from his car and pushed to the ground. Officers restrained him and used a Taser while he was immobilized.
The Phoenix Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 2 contested the report, calling it misleading and filled with “half-truths” and “unsubstantiated accusations.”
Additionally, the Justice Department found that Phoenix police disproportionately targeted homeless individuals, with 37% of their arrests between 2016 and 2022 involving this population. The report also criticized the department for firing at individuals who did not pose an immediate threat and for creating situations where officers were more likely to use their weapons.
Despite the criticism, Phoenix police reported eight fatal shootings this year, all involving armed individuals. Clarke expressed hope for collaboration with Phoenix officials to address these issues. City manager Jeff Barton assured that the city is taking the allegations seriously and will review the report thoroughly.
Since 2021, the Justice Department has initiated 11 investigations into law enforcement agencies nationwide, including in Louisville, Kentucky, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, where high-profile police killings have previously led to findings of civil rights violations and excessive force.
