Phoenix is in the midst of a national effort to hire the city’s next police chief.
The largest union of rank and file officers says the department is moving in the wrong direction under the interim chief’s leadership.
The powerful labor union is called the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association. And most members recently surveyed said they want an internal candidate to be chosen as the next Phoenix police chief.
PLEA President Darrell Kriplean said interim Chief Michael Sullivan has punished officers for using force despite review boards having found their actions were in policy.
“The perception, and I don’t think it’s incorrect, is that he’s taking direction from others within city management,” Kriplean said.
Sullivan has said he would apply to be permanent chief.
He came to Phoenix during a years-long federal civil rights investigation of the city and its police.
A department spokesperson said Sullivan was not available to comment on the union survey.
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