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One Year After Tear Gassing Protesters, Police Say They’ve Learned From Trump's Arizona Rally

Trump Rally
Jimmy Jenkins/KJZZ
Police line keeping supporters and protesters separate.

On Aug. 22, 2017, a rally for President Donald Trump in downtown Phoenix made national news when police tear gassed protesters, journalists and counter-protesters.

Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams called the response to protesters a learning experience.

“We’ve learned that training, training, training helps our employees be ready for the next thing that’s coming,” she said.

Williams said the Phoenix police has also looked at practices by other law enforcement agencies for guidance and pledged to use better communication in the event of another rally or large protest event.

ASU Criminology Professor Ed Maguire joined The Show to explain how much law enforcement changed in a year. 

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Claire Caulfield was a reporter and Morning Edition producer at KJZZ from 2015 to 2019.