Phoenix police have shot 4 people since new chief took office

Civil rights advocates are concerned that Phoenix police use of force reforms don't seem to be having an effect. Officers have shot four people in the month since new Chief Matt Giordano was appointed.

Since his hiring, Giordano has said he’s committed to continuing the reforms that Phoenix police began since last year, when the Department of Justice found them to have patterns of unlawful conduct, including excessive force and racial discrimination.

"The city of Phoenix has taken steps that they think are what they say is a step towards police reform and increased public safety for everyone," said Ben Laughlin, co-director of Phoenix grassroots organization Poder in Action. "But what we’re seeing is that you know those reforms that they’ve been putting in place, they’ve been advocating for haven’t worked."

The DOJ dropped its findings of constitutional violations by Phoenix police in May.

Policing the Police

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.

"The Department of Justice report coming out and now the new administration pretty much throwing it away in the trash, it does make you wonder whether or not police officers feel that they have a right to shoot now and kill because there’s no oversight," said civil rights attorney Benjamin Taylor.

Phoenix police released this statement:

"We understand the community’s concerns and want to reassure the public that we take every officer-involved shooting extremely seriously. These incidents are never planned and often unfold in rapidly evolving, unpredictable situations that pose significant risks to both community members and officers."

"Each case is unique and complex, and our top priority is always the safety of everyone involved. To ensure full accountability and transparency, every officer-involved shooting is subject to two independent investigations—one conducted by the Arizona Department of Public Safety and another by the Phoenix Police Department’s Professional Standards Bureau."

"We are committed to a thorough and impartial review process and encourage the public and media to allow these independent investigations to proceed before drawing conclusions. Our goal is to maintain the trust of our community while ensuring the safety and well-being of all."