The Phoenix City Council has appointed nine people to a civilian review board that will keep tabs on work done by the city’s police accountability office.
Some members have backgrounds in mental health care, veterans issues and homelessness. Others work as a school superintendent and a real estate CEO. Their new job is to inspect, discuss and approve monitoring reports done by the city’s police accountability office.
It audits the Phoenix Police Department’s own internal investigations of incidents, such as officer-involved shootings, and makes recommendations for improvement.
The city has presented the office to the U.S. Justice Department as an example of enhanced accountability as officials try to avoid federal oversight of Phoenix police.
The DOJ has said they have doubts if the office can deliver consistent and effective civilian review.