Last week, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it was launching an investigation of the city of Phoenix and the Phoenix Police Department. The DOJ is also conducting similar investigations in Louisville and Minneapolis. 

In Phoenix, the investigation will focus on retaliatory actions police took against protestors and treatment of the area’s homeless population.

There will also be deeper looks into the department’s excessive use of force, discriminatory policing and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Community members expressed relief that the Justice Department is stepping in, citing numerous instances of questionable police shootings that were investigated by the department itself and a lack of a citizen’s review board.

On the other hand, the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association — the department’s union — claims this investigation will stymie recruitment and compromise the public’s trust in local police.

Jon Gould is a professor and director of ASU's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

The Show spoke with him to learn about what the investigation may encompass.

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