PHOENIX — The Department of Justice says its review of the Phoenix Police Department shows a pattern of conduct that violates several constitutional amendments and civil rights.
DOJ officials say their investigation found the department discriminated against communities of color and the homeless population.
Watch the Thursday announcement from DOJ officials in the player below
In 2021, the city and its police department went under a sweeping federal probe that was focused on the use of force, discriminatory policing, the treatment of people experiencing homelessness, response to people in crisis, and retaliation against protesters.
Read the full report from the DOJ below:
On Thursday, a DOJ leader said the department ignored warning signs of the civil rights violations and discriminatory patterns.
The report also states the department would often retaliate against those who spoke up about the violations.
The DOJ pattern or practice investigation looked at five areas of concern including use-of-force, protecting First Amendment rights, and treatment of people with mental or behavioral health problems.
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Federal lawyers and investigators received more than 147,000 documents and 22,000 body-worn camera videos. They interviewed 130 police and city employees and rode along for 200 hours with Phoenix officers.
Following the release of the findings of the investigation, ABC15 Investigator Melissa Blasius spoke with Phoenix PD Chief Sullivan, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clark, and Phoenix City Manager Jeff Barton.
"Ultimately, our findings reveal evidence showing long-standing dysfunction at the Phoenix Police Department," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clark.
"The police department turned a blind eye to the data, ignored these unmistakable warnings, and failed to uncover its own discriminatory policing patterns," Clark said.
"We're going to take it very, very seriously as we take a deep dive into it," said City Manager Jeff Barton.
ABC15 Investigators Dave Biscobing and Melissa Blasius talked with you on social media about the report following its release:
"We're a very transparent organization, so we need to be able to show through metrics and data that we are not just talking to talk, but also walking the walk," Barton said.
"I think you can certainly pick out incidents where we should have performed at a much higher level and the community expected us," said Interim Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan.
"There is trust in the community," Sullivan said. "There are areas that we have a lot of more work to do, and we're committed to that work."
TIMELINE: DOJ's investigation into Phoenix police over use of force during protest arrests
In December 2023, ABC15 Investigators learned that a meeting had taken place between Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan and DOJ investigators in November. It was believed to be one of the last major steps in the years-long civil rights probe.
The DOJ stated Thursday that since the investigation opened, the department has made some changes including additional training and policy implementation, but said more reform needs to be made.
Less than two hours after the report was released, the union representing police officers and detectives stepped forward to defend them.
The head of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA) had strong words for the DOJ’s investigation and findings.
PLEA President Darrell Kriplean criticized the DOJ for making its findings public before allowing decision-makers and the department to review the report.
“The secrecy surrounding the findings report up to its release, and the attempted strong-arming by the DOJ of the Phoenix City Council have proven this investigation is a farce,” he said during a news conference.
He said the union is opposed to the city signing any sort of consent decree. A consent decree with the DOJ would result in a lengthy list of specific reforms and cost millions of dollars
"It would decimate morale,” he said. “I think you would see a lot of our officers, senior officers, maybe retire early."
The association represents about 2,200 officers and detectives.
“Phoenicians deserve a well-functioning department led by professionals who are focused on protecting our community,” he said. “Not a federal agency who wants to implement their own political agenda during an election year.”
Joe Clure, executive director of the Arizona Police Association, said the DOJ is “solely focused” on limited, individual incidents that result in federal takeovers of local police departments.
Union officials said the Phoenix Police Department has already implemented significant reforms and other changes are in process.
Following the DOJ's announcement, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego released the following statement:
“Just a few moments ago, at the same time as the public, the City of Phoenix received the federal government’s findings report. The City Council will meet this month—in Executive Session on June 25—to receive legal advice, better understand the report, and discuss next steps. I will carefully and thoroughly review the findings before making further comment.”
City leaders did not expect to get an advance copy before its public release. City council members explained to ABC15 that they would only be allowed to see the report early if they signed an agreement in principle to negotiate a consent decree with the DOJ.
City officials were “surprised and disappointed” that federal investigators wouldn't show them a draft copy of their investigation into Phoenix police.
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