Phoenix City Council holds work-study session to discuss police oversight

PHOENIX — The Phoenix City Council on Tuesday held its first work-study session to discuss possible options and legality when it comes to adopting civilian police oversight.

The session was in response to a recent trend in which Phoenix police made national headlines for its high volume of officer-involved shootings and specific high-profile cases that angered some citizens.

“This conversation is a starting point, not an ending,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in a statement. “This is a process, and it needs to be a deliberate one where we are gathering input and understanding what can and should be done.”

Liana Perez with the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement presented the City Council with three potential models during the three-hour meeting.

The first option focused on reviewing completed police investigations to make sure they were thorough and complete.

The second model called for an auditor or monitor who can take complaints and can decide how a case is going to be assigned for investigation and what the plan is to investigate that complaint.

The final option would involve an oversight entity that handles an investigation from start to finish and requires more resources.

Gallego said the City Council will review the three models before deciding which one to implement.

A second work-study session has been scheduled for Oct. 15.

“The efforts we’re making — the ad-hoc committee, the community survey, the early intervention system, accelerating the rollout of body worn cameras, increased mental and behavioral health training — are all major strides toward better serving our community and increasing trust,” Gallego said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Griselda Zetino contributed to this report.

[newsletter][/newsletter]

Related

Anti-police protesters take center stage at Phoenix City Council meetingCitizens voice concerns with Phoenix police during community meetingPhoenix Police launch probe of officer's leg sweep of cuffed suspectPolice chief calls for investigation into Phoenix officers' online postsHighly anticipated report on Phoenix police shootings released2 found dead after fire at home in Maricopa