City of Phoenix Launches Website on DOJ Report

The City of Phoenix introduces a new website offering public access to materials in the DOJ's June 2024 comprehensive report.Photo byJames DayonUnsplash

PHOENIX — The City of Phoenix today launched an interactive website designed to provide public access to materials related to incidents identified in the June 13, 2024, Department of Justice (DOJ) report.

Following an extensive investigation, the DOJ found that the Phoenix Police Department and the City of Phoenix engaged in a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the U.S. Constitution and federal law.

While the DOJ report is comprehensive, it does not reference specific details such as incident numbers or dates. However, city staff were able to identify many of the events and upload the associated materials to the website, according to Interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan.

"Evidence like incident reports, body-worn camera videos, and internal review documents are crucial to understanding each incident described by the DOJ," Sullivan said. "These materials are important for our community to see and vital for the city to analyze as we strive to be a self-assessing and self-correcting department."

By identifying the events described by the DOJ, the City of Phoenix gains a better understanding of the allegations and can pursue further improvements, according to Sullivan.

"Analyzing these incidents is a valuable process for our city as we look to continue building on many of the improvements made before and after I arrived," Sullivan added.

Given the volume of documents associated with the DOJ investigation—179,000 documents and 22,000 body-worn camera videos—the website includes the most pertinent documents and videos related to each incident, according to the City of Phoenix.

The City of Phoenix is focused on implementing the recommended remedial measures from the DOJ, particularly those related to accountability and training reforms, some of which were already underway, according to City Manager Jeff Barton.

"This platform represents the city's commitment to accountability and transparency," Barton said. "We believe the community deserves information associated with these events, and the website gives people access to the facts."

City staff are actively analyzing the 37 recommended remedial measures outlined by the DOJ and comparing them to actions already taken to enhance policy, training, and other systems, according to Sullivan.

"We want to compare these recommended remedial measures to the steps we have already taken to improve as a department. This is also an opportunity for us to look for ways we can make additional changes that better serve our community," Sullivan said.

For more information about the DOJ investigation and to access relevant materials outlining reform efforts and updates on the investigation, visit the City of Phoenix's DOJ Resources webpage.