The U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday announced it will conduct an investigation into the city of Phoenix and its police department.
In a statement, the department said the probe would examine the use of force, including deadly force by Phoenix Police Department officers, whether the department retaliates against people for exercising their First Amendment rights or engages in discriminatory policing as well as whether it unlawfully seizes or disposes of belongings of homeless individuals and its practices for responding to people with disabilities.
During a news conference Kristen Clarke, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said the department had found “evidence here warrants a full investigation” into the city’s policing practices.”
“We have reviewed court files, media reports, citizen complaints and we also considered factors that we ordinarily weigh in determining whether to open an investigation, including the nature and seriousness of the allegations, the number of allegations, the steps that a department may be taking to address the allegations and the history of the department,” Clarke said.
The Justice Department added the so-called “pattern or practice” investigation is being conducted under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which prohibits state and local law enforcement from depriving individuals of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law.
The city of Phoenix last approved a budget including $15 million to expand a pilot program to eliminate the role of police officers responding to 911 calls involving mental health, homelessness or substance abuse, CNN reported.
The probe comes as a nationwide eviction moratorium expired over the weekend and the Centers for Disease Control announced a targeted moratorium for counties experiencing “substantial and high” levels of community transmission of COVID-19 on Tuesday.
Attorney General Merrick Garland noted the increase in attention to the “impending risk of mass evictions,” saying it would have “serious implications — adding to a crisis of homelessness that strains but cannot be solved by the criminal justice system.”
“Needless to say the impact on individuals and families would be devastating,” he said. “And as the CDC has made clear, the impact on public health would likewise be devastating, fueling the spread of COVID-19 infections in the affected communities.”
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, a Democrat, issued a statement welcoming the Justice Department’s investigation.
“Comprehensive reform of policing in the City of Phoenix has been my priority since the first day I took office,” Gallego said. “The recommendations that will result from this review will assist us in our ongoing efforts to become an even safer, stronger, more equitable city.”
The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, the union representing officers on the city’s police force, said Thursday it stands by its members and would fully cooperate with the investigation.
“The top priority of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association is to maintain a high standard of community policing and promote ethical policies that protect police officers and our community,” said the association’s president, Michael “Britt” London.
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So the Obama/Holder era of “investigating” police departments is revived in the Biden/Obama administration. This nonsense has got to stop. There are too many empty suits in the Biden administration—his being one—where someone is given a job title and the actor holding the position tries really hard to make themselves look important and productive.
Crime is up in this country. Crime is carried out by criminals. “investigating” the police is doing what to address the crime problem? Unrestrained ignorance describes the Biden administration. This is a farce and a disgrace.
Impeach Biden
In the rhyme of the ancient mariner, “Instead of the cross, the Albatross / About my neck was hung,” suggests that the Albatross can be read as a symbol of Christ, with the Mariner as the betraying Judas. These days Liberals hang a Garland about or necks, not of celebratory florals, but a symbol of the anti-Christ and the Liberals who betray Christian America every bit as the Judas roles now played in their pantheon of political passion plays of our times. Thank God this Garland never made it to Supreme court status or we would all be as homeless as their poverty created voters are, as their people who now do the investigating, are the very ones in need of an investigation themselves.
HOWS about investigate GOVERNORS WHO REFUSE TO allow their officers and judges to WORK WITH FEDERAL AGENTS RE illegal aliens?
How’s about investigate Judges who actually WILLFULLY BREAK THE LAW BY LETTING illegal aliens, SNEAK THROUGH THEIR CHAMBERS to ‘avoid INS agents”.
How’s about investigate MAYORS AND GOVERNORS (as well as senators) WHO FLAT OUT FUNDED THE ANTIFA and blm led riots??!
DO YOUR ******g job!!!
The Department of No Justice, going after innocent police forces and siding with criminals. Merrick Garland and his communist cohorts at his No Justice Department.
This is the Democrat Party’s agenda.
Condemn law enforcement.
Encourage, participate and support criminal activities and riot, burning and looting.
THAT IS WHY I continually call them the dept of INJUSTICE…. THEY Certainly no longer stand FOr justice or the law!
A new Democrat mayor is going to reform the police, the Democrat run Department of Justice is going to investigate allegations of misconduct by the police under the previous mayor, no doubt a Republican? Things that really make you go, “Hummmm!
der komisar merick i look like a zombie garland should be arrested for subversion.
AND who’s going to DO that arresting!?!? He’s the top LE official..
How disgusting is that. Actually arresting people for breaking the law. Not just any people mind you, but members if the untouchable 13%, says one of the 87% in jest.
Garland, how about a PROBE into the FBI , there you may really find something. How about a Probe on MR. Durham and his report, where is he and his report.
All the FBI has to do is look in the mirror and see if Phoenix PD looks like them!
Exactly what would said probe do? his dept of injustice essentially RUNS the FBI!