PHOENIX — Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams responded to a hostile crowd Tuesday night during a community meeting about use of force investigations.
The meeting stems from a viral video that shows officers using force that many people have questioned in previous days.
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Chief Williams was interrupted several times during her speech with boos from the crowd, the loudest coming from what was supposed to be the end of her comments at the time.
“Change doesn’t come from within the police department, it comes from the community,” Williams said.
After hearing the crowd’s reaction, Chief Williams walked into the crowd and took the microphone from the moderator to clarify her comment.
“The police department is a part of this community. The community is a part of this police department,” Chief Williams said.
Williams went on to say that despite the commotion, she hears what the speakers have said.
“I am listening to what you say. You don’t have to believe me. At the end of the day, the proof is in the pudding,” she said. “The proof is in what happens after these meetings, and as I said, this is not the last of those meetings.”
Community members spoke for two hours, largely giving comment on use of force investigations and police policy.
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