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The U.S. Justice Department is launching a pattern or practice investigation into the City of Phoenix and the Phoenix Police Department to see whether its officers have been using excessive force and abusing homeless people.
Speaking to reporters Thursday afternoon, Attorney General Merrick Garland said the investigation will determine whether the department "engages in a pattern or practice of violations of the constitution or federal law."
Garland said this type of investigation, his third as attorney general, aims to "promote transparency and accountability."
Attorney General Merrick Garland, accompanied by Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke, right, speaks at a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said investigators will review body camera video, along with training materials and other records. She said the Justice Department spoke with Phoenix city officials and they had expressed support for the probe.
"One of the highest priorities of the Civil Rights Division is to ensure that every person in this country benefits from policing that is lawful, effective, transparent, and free from discrimination," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke. "Police officers across the country must use their authority in a manner that adheres to the Constitution, complies with federal civil rights laws, and respects human dignity."
The DOJ has briefed the Phoenix Police Department and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Police Chief Jeri Williams about its investigation.
"I welcome the U.S. Department of Justice review of the Phoenix Police Department. Comprehensive Reform of policing in the City of Phoenix has been my priority since the first day I took office," Gallego said in a statement.
The DOJ says it will reach out to community groups and Phoenix residents to learn about their experiences with police.
Speaking to reporters later, Chief Williams said she was "confident in the department's ability to engage and embrace what the DOJ is looking for in a pattern and practice review but I'm also confident that at the end of the day if they tell us to do some things differently, we will fully embrace that and work towards that."
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Earlier this year, the Justice Department announced it was opening similar investigations into police forces in Minneapolis, after the death of George Floyd, and in Louisville, Kentucky, after the death of Breonna Taylor.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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