Phoenix City Council unanimously approves sexual harassment policy

PHOENIX — The Phoenix City Council unanimously adopted a sexual harassment policy for elected officials on Tuesday, the same day as the Arizona State Senate moved to create a code of conduct for lawmakers.

In a press release, councilwoman Kate Gallego said voters will now be able to petition to the Phoenix City Council to remove members for bad behavior.

Gallego said the new policy will enact the same standard that city employees can be fired for committing harassment.

The policy includes confidentiality and retaliation protections, outside independent investigations of complaints, and empowerment of the council by a supermajority vote to impose censure, fines, and removal from office for violations of the policy, the release said.

“Sexual harassment scandals of elected officials have recently engulfed all levels of government across our country, particularly here in Arizona,” Gallego said.

“Upon seeing there was no policy addressing the misconduct and sexual harassment by elected officials at the city of Phoenix, I knew this needed to change.”

Gallego said the city will set an example that “sexual harassment by elected officials will not be tolerated.”

Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton also praised the passage of the policy, calling it “long overdue.”

“I’m glad we’ve taken action to keep everyone accountable, including elected officials, because there is no place for harassment or discrimination of any kind in Phoenix.”

The policy will go into effect in 30 days, except for the provision pertaining to expelling elected officials. That provision will go toward the voters at the next city election for approval because it would change the city charter.

Lawmakers push to enact code of conduct at the state level

Also on Tuesday, Arizona Senate President Steve Yarbrough and state House Speaker J.D. Mesnard created a bipartisan committee to draft a behavioral code of conduct for members of the Legislature.

The committee will have four members from each body, evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats.

Yarbrough and Mesnard said Tuesday that the committee membership still was being finalized.

Once it is, the committee will solicit input from their colleagues and draft the code of conduct.

Mesnard said legislators will benefit from greater clarity and the public will be better served by having a behavioral code of conduct in place.

State Rep. Don Shooter was expelled on Feb. 1 following sexual harassment allegations made by multiple women. Last week, former Sen. Steve Montenegro was accused of receiving inappropriate messages from a Senate staffer.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Related

Arizona Senate aide's attorney speaks out over texts to ex-lawmakerArizona House expels Don Shooter after sexual harassment report, letterPhoenix City Council to vote on sexual harassment policy for lawmakersAmish Shah says he would find ways to work with Trump administration if electedNorthbound Loop 101 Pima Freeway reopens near Tempe-Scottsdale border after crash‘Really hypocritical’: Jay Feely hits Amish Shah on data centers but agrees on water policy