Statement from Phoenix City Manager on DOJ Investigation

Phoenix City Manager Jeff Barton released the following statement after meeting this week with the Mayor and City Council:

"Just over ten weeks ago, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a report​ outlining serious allegations regarding the Phoenix Police Department. Since that time, at the direction of the Mayor and City Council, dozens of staff have worked tirelessly, not only reading and studying the report but identifying, evaluating, and sharing information regarding the incidents cited in the report with the community. Staff conducted a thorough review and analysis of the recommended remedial measures, comparing them with what we currently have in place or in progress. A detailed project plan to address the gaps, using industry-standard best practices, is now underway. Spending this time and energy learning from the past and from others prepares us to improve the future.

We look forward to collaborative conversations with the DOJ to identify a plan that works for Phoenix. The City is committed to developing a path that moves our City and its police department forward. This means showing long term and ongoing process improvement, researching and implementing best practices in policing, and holding ourselves and our employees accountable to these standards of excellence. It means improving our data collection and reporting so the community can monitor and follow our progress. Most importantly, it means building trust with all members of our community.

Significant change is already underway. Under the new leadership of Interim Chief Michael Sullivan, we've overhauled our Use of Force policy with community input and implemented new, gold standard de-escalation training. Ideas that were once aspirational are now part of the fabric of our processes including monitoring of police investigations through the Office of Accountability and Transparency​ and civilian oversight from the soon to be seated Civilian Review Board. As noted above, an analysis of every recommendation made by the DOJ is currently underway to see where our efforts to change and improve hit the mark and where we need additional improvement to not only meet expectations but exceed them. The results of this analysis will serve as a guide to the City's long-term path forward.

I want to be sure our community knows my office, the Mayor and City Council, and the Police Chief have an unwavering commitment to sustained improvement.

Phoenix can do better and will continue to do better. I will settle for nothing less.​"

Read more on the City's police reform efforts.