THE DOJ PHOENIX REPORT
Statement of President Ben Leuschner on the DOJ Investigation
Our job is to enforce the law.
The members of the Phoenix Police Sergeants and Lieutenants Association - and all of the men and women of the Phoenix Police Department - take our job seriously.
We enforce the law after hearing the cries of mothers whose sons were murdered during gang activity.
We enforce the law when we are called to scenes involving domestic violence.
We enforce the law when individuals make threats against others.
When people (including professionals) feel “unsafe” it is the men and women of the Phoenix Police Department who are called to respond. And we answer that call. We do our best to make scenes “safe” even when we are called to put our own safety on the line.
We enforce the rights of those who disagree with - or even hate us - to peaceably assemble. We also enforce the law when protestors decide that they will no longer be peaceful. There is no right to violence during protests. So when we are confronted with violence or illegal behavior, we enforce the law then as well.
Chief Williams said that it is a privilege to wear a badge. We agree. It’s a privilege and a responsibility to obey the law. We take that responsibility seriously.
We are not perfect. We make mistakes. But I can tell you, as the President of the organization representing the supervisors of the Phoenix Police Department, we do not deliberately or systematically violate the rights of civilians while we enforce the law.
Both myself and the organization I lead stand ready to cooperate with the Justice Department’s investigation. A full and fair investigation will show that, overall, members of the Phoenix Police Department are doing their level best - under increasingly difficult circumstances - to enforce the law.
Lt. Ben Leuschner
President - Phoenix Police Sergeants and Lieutenants Association
#U10 - The Domestic Violence Incident
This video addresses an allegation by the United States Department of Justice that the Phoenix Police Department engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing related to officers responding to a man engaged in domestic violence offenses.
#U34 - Pepperball
This video addresses an allegation by the United States Department of Justice that the Phoenix Police Department engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing related to officers deploying a pepper ball gun while responding to a call involving behavior health problems
#U01 - Matthew Begay
This video addresses an allegation by the United States Department of Justice that the Phoenix Police Department engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing related to an officer involved shooting involving Matthew Begay while responding to a call involving behavior health problems.
#U04 - James Garcia
This video addresses an allegation by the United States Department of Justice that the Phoenix Police Department engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing related to an officer involved shooting involving James Garcia while responding to a call involving threats.
#U08 - Jacob Harris
This video addresses an allegation by the United States Department of Justice that the Phoenix Police Department engaged in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional policing related to an officer involved shooting involving Jacob Harris and a group of individuals linked to armed robbery in the Phoenix Metro.
We can prove it! Every cop in the United States should pay attention to this. There is no sheriff's department or local pd safe from a DOJ that fabricates evidence and misquotes subjects. We did a deep dive into the Department of Justice report into Phoenix, and it's WAY WORSE than we thought. Phoenicians should fight back against this massive attempt on law and order in Arizona. Check out the video to see why!
The U.S. Department of Justice just released their report into the Phoenix Police Department. The only problem? The report is inaccurate. Like so many cities before Phoenix, the DOJ is hoping to bully city leaders into cooperation, without releasing proof of the allegations made.
The Department of Justice Civil Rights Division is conducting a pattern and practice investigation into the Phoenix Police Department. The DOJ is examining whether the PPD is involved in unconstitutional policing - particularly whether Phoenix PD uses excessive force or has other illegal police policies. But Phoenix City Council needs to decide what Phoenix will do in responding to the DOJ investigation. This video provides an update - and analyzes whether Consent Decrees can be avoided through the use of TALs - Technical Assistance Letters
The Department of Justice Louisville Report
The Department of Justice has the authority to conduct "pattern and practice" investigations into departments it suspects of violating constitutional rights. But what does that even mean? What are the conditions and criteria for such an investigation? Law enforcement is already a delicate business. Cops everywhere know the stakes, and police also go to great lengths to ensure the job is done well. But how can a sheriff's office or police department be expected to fare against an organization using biased, baseless, and vague decision making when being "audited" Check out the video for the breakdown in the recent investigation into the Louisville Metro Police Department, and what that might mean for other agencies around the country.
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