U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego has recently voiced his concerns to the U.S. Department of Justice regarding their investigation into the Phoenix Police Department. With the endorsement of the Arizona Police Association under his belt, Gallego took a stand against the potential implementation of a consent decree to address issues within the police department.
The Department of Justice’s investigation found that the Phoenix Police Department had allegedly violated the constitutional rights of minorities and the homeless population, prompting the possibility of a consent decree. However, Gallego believes that a ‘technical assistance letter’ would be a more effective approach to implement necessary reforms without causing a staffing crisis in the city.
In a letter dated August 27, Gallego expressed his concerns about the potential consequences of a consent decree, citing its potential burdensome costs and unintended outcomes. Despite acknowledging the valid points raised in the DOJ report, Gallego believes that the current approach may miss the mark.
With the support of the Arizona Police Association, Gallego’s stance has gathered attention, especially since the association’s president had recently expressed support for the GOP presidential candidate. The release of documents by the City of Phoenix relating to incidents mentioned in the DOJ report further adds to the ongoing discussion.
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For more details, you can view the letter written by Gallego to the DOJ here.
