Three-and-a-half months have passed since federal investigators said the city of Phoenix and its police department have a pattern of violating civil rights.
Friday is the first meeting between city officials and the U.S. Justice Department since blistering findings were delivered.
Before the Justice Department published its report, Phoenix officials requested to be given recommendations for reform instead of oversight.
After the report came out, the feds said a court-enforceable agreement is needed to correct the kinds of problems they identified.
“If there is no resolution between the city of Phoenix and the Department of Justice, eventually, a judge will have to decide what measures it will take to improve the Phoenix Police Department,” said Benjamin Taylor, a civil rights attorney.
The meeting in Washington, D.C., comes days after the City Council approved sweeping changes in areas such as internal accountability, handling of citizen complaints and how officers treat vulnerable populations such as children.
A city spokesperson says the purpose of the meeting is to start productive discussions about a path forward that is best for Phoenix residents.
Taylor said the community wants change.
“So when you have ultimate change and ultimate action. People want to see not lip service but actually action from the city of Phoenix,” said Taylor.
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KJZZ's "Policing the Police" series examines the U.S. Department of Justice civil rights investigation of Phoenix by section, as well as the city's efforts to self-impose reforms. -
Our "Policing the Police" series examines the U.S. Department of Justice civil rights investigation of Phoenix by section, as well as the city's efforts to self-impose reforms. This time, KJZZ News focuses on the finding that Phoenix police don't change their approach when dealing with children. -
KJZZ's "Policing the Police" series examines the U.S. Department of Justice civil rights investigation of Phoenix by section, as well as the city's efforts to self-impose reforms. This report focuses on the finding by the DOJ that Phoenix police unlawfully restrict free speech. -
Our "Policing the Police" series examines the U.S. Department of Justice civil rights investigation of Phoenix as well as the city's efforts to self-impose reforms. This time, KJZZ News examines the finding that the city of Phoenix and its police discriminate against people with mental illnesses. -
KJZZ's "Policing the Police" series examines the U.S. Department of Justice civil rights investigation of Phoenix by section, as well as the city's efforts to self-impose reforms. This report focuses on the DOJ finding that police discriminated against Black, Hispanic and Native American people when enforcing the law. -
KJZZ's "Policing the Police" series examines the U.S. Department of Justice civil rights investigation of Phoenix by section, as well as the city's efforts to self-impose reforms. This report focuses on homelessness. -
KJZZ's "Policing the Police" series examines the U.S. Department of Justice civil rights investigation of Phoenix by section, as well as the city's efforts to self-impose reforms. KJZZ News has divided the findings on use of force into deadly and less lethal. This report focuses on the latter. -
Our "Policing the Police" series examines the U.S. Department of Justice civil rights investigation of Phoenix by section, as well as the city's efforts to self-impose reforms. KJZZ News has divided the findings on use of force into deadly and less lethal. This report focuses on fatal police shootings.
