The Justice Department on Thursday announced it would launch an investigation into the Phoenix Police Department’s use of force and treatment of the homeless.
Aug.5 (UPI) — 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.
