One day after the Arizona Police Association, the state’s largest police union, endorsed Democrat Ruben Gallego for Senate, he reportedly sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice saying it "missed the mark" in its investigation into Phoenix police.
In the letter, obtained by Arizona’s Family and posted on the Facebook page for the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, Gallego said he’s deeply concerned the DOJ’s approach “could impose overly burdensome costs and ultimately have unintended consequences that will undermine the safety of the community.”
After a nearly three-year investigation, the DOJ announced on June 13 that Phoenix police have engaged in a "pattern or practice" of violating constitutional and civil rights. Gallego, currently representing Arizona’s 3rd Congressional District, wrote that the DOJ’s findings report “references a mere 120 or so unspecified incidents” across an estimated 6 million calls for service.
Gallego asked the DOJ to use a technical assistance letter rather than a consent decree, which would involve federal oversight. The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association and Arizona Police Association, along with some Phoenix City Council members, have been advocating for a letter rather than a consent decree.
The DOJ has frequently used consent decrees in other cities to outline court-mandated actions police departments must take to avoid being sued by the federal government.
