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On August 5, 2021, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it was opening a pattern and practice investigation into the City of Phoenix and the Phoenix Police Department (“Phoenix”). According to the announcement, the investigation, initiated under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, intended to examine whether the City and the Department had a pattern or practice of violating the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendment rights of its citizens, the 1964 Civil Rights Act, or the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In March 2022, federal investigators made their first official onsite visit. This allowed investigators to observe academy classes and patrols. Investigators continued to make onsite visits in April, May, and June of 2022. They also conducted virtual interviews with community members who alleged that they were subjected to excessive force. DOJ has made four distinct requests for production thus far, focused on different potential violations of the Constitution or 1964 Civil Rights Act. Phoenix has completed production for the first two of these four requests.
As of January 2023, Phoenix has continued to comply with document production requests while the DOJ has made more onsite visits.
Summary Authors
Jonah Hudson-Erdman (9/12/2021)
Richard Cantoral (11/19/2021)
Hank Minor (1/5/2023)
Clarke, Kristen M. (District of Columbia)
Garland, Merrick B. (District of Columbia)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:32 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Arizona
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
U.S. Department of Justice
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Attorney Organizations:
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
City of Phoenix (Phoenix, Maricopa), City
Phoenix Police Department (Phoenix, Maricopa), City
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.
Violent Crime and Law Enforcement Act, 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 14141)
Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General:
Incident/accident reporting & investigations
Policing: