Arizona Gov. Ducey criticizes DOJ investigation into Phoenix Police Department

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey was critical Monday of the Department of Justice’s investigation into the Phoenix Police Department and the city over potential civil rights violations and abuses of power.

Ducey, in his State of the State speech, said the DOJ should shift their focus away from Phoenix Police.

“News flash for the DOJ and Merrick Garland: Mr. Attorney General, instead of attacking Police Chief Jeri Williams and her officers for risking their lives and keeping Arizona streets safe during civil unrest, your time would be better spent protecting the federal courthouses in Portland, Seattle and San Francisco,” Ducey said. “Do your job.”

The DOJ reviewed media reports, court files and citizen complaints before deciding to move forward with the Phoenix probe in August.

The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division is reviewing the police department’s use-of-force practices.

It is also looking for patterns of retaliation over activity protected under the First Amendment and discrimination against people with disabilities or who are homeless.

The department is five months into the investigation, with the most recent update coming in late December.

Results of the probe aren’t expected for a while, maybe more than a year.

Ducey’s denunciation of the probe came during a part of his speech in which he complimented the work of the state’s law enforcement officials.

“We intend to keep Arizona a place where we honor and value our cops and all of law enforcement, including correctional officers and first responders,” Ducey said.

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