Following a nearly three-year investigation, the U.S. Department of Justice has found that the Phoenix Police Department violated people’s rights, discriminated against certain groups and has used excessive force, including “unjustified deadly force.”
A 126-page report released Thursday morning says the department discriminates against certain races, as well as people with behavioral health disabilities. The report also found that Phoenix police detain and arrest people who are homeless without reasonable suspicion that they committed a crime and unlawfully dispose of their belongings, AZFamily reports.
City leaders responded to the report late Thursday morning, saying time was needed to fully review the report and its findings.
The agency first announced its investigation in August 2021 into whether officers have been using excessive force and abusing homeless people. It also looked at whether officers discriminated against people and if they retaliated against protesters.
As of February, the city of Phoenix has spent $7.5 million on the Justice Department investigation.
