A state law passed years ago will soon take effect, barring police agencies from conducting criminal investigations into shootings and critical incidents involving their own officers.
On July 1, the Arizona Department of Public Safety is set to take over investigations of shootings by Phoenix police officers, in-custody deaths and any incident deemed eligible by the Phoenix chief, according to city records.
The law taking effect orders DPS to build a special division to do the reviews. When they’re done, DPS will tell Phoenix if the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office decides to file charges.
The Phoenix Police Department’s internal affairs bureau will continue work as normal.
Phoenix police have fired guns while on duty at least six times this year.
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