Phoenix Vice Mayor: Proposal Would Kill Unbiased Probes Of Police Misconduct

By Matthew Casey
Published: Friday, May 28, 2021 - 5:50pm
Updated: Saturday, May 29, 2021 - 12:11pm

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The Phoenix City Council recently voted to add a police accountability office containing a civilian review board.

Now the vice mayor says a proposed budget amendment in the Arizona Senate is an effort by state lawmakers to undo the city’s action.

Gov. Doug Ducey recently signed a new law requiring that police be at least two-thirds of an officer-misconduct review board.

A budget amendment proposed this week by Senate President Karen Fann would greatly expand required police participation in officer-misconduct probes beyond just a review board.

Carlos Garcia
Matthew Casey/KJZZ
Carlos Garcia in February 2020.

Vice Mayor Carlos Garcia said the action is a direct response to Phoenix having made an Office of Accountability and Transparency.       

“This would kill any type of civilian oversight, including unbiased investigations of police misconduct,” Garcia said

A spokesperson for the police union named the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association referred a request for comment to the Arizona Police Association, which did not immediately respond to phone and social media messages.

KJZZ's Ben Giles contributed to this story.

Politics Social Justice