PHOENIX (3TV / CBS 5) – Phoenix City Council voted Wednesday to approve a new civilian supervisory office for the police force. The Office of Accountability and Transparency staff review the violence investigation and have a say in the training, discipline and hiring of the police. The vote was tight and went through with 5-4. Citizens sit on a board for the Phoenix Police Department to review the use of force and disciplinary checks. This new office would create paid jobs with the city. “This board is a national best practice that will help us really look at the research and modernize our department,” said Kate Gallego, Mayor of Phoenix. (Source: 3TV / CBS 5) “This board is a national best practice that will help us really look at the research and modernize our department,” said Kate Gallego, Mayor of Phoenix. “Dialogue is important. This is how churches improve. Research is important and an independent view will make us a stronger city. “Phoenix City Council, Sal DiCiccio, voted against the office, I would support it, but it’s not,” DiCiccio said. “It’s literally on it designed to attack the police as part of the Defund the Police movement. It enables these people, these anti-police groups, these groups to infiltrate. The way it is designed, there is going to be a change that says they are able to investigate these civilians. ” During the public commentary, people in the community shared their thoughts on the office. Katie Baeza said her brother was killed by a Phoenix officer and she wanted more transparency. “I would still like to know whether both police officers have been investigated?” said Baeza at the meeting. “Was there a detective who lied to my mother the morning my brother was murdered? I have no idea because the police were not transparent.” Another spokesperson, Justin McKay, was concerned that the office was banning former officials or family members of officials. “I am against this measure,” McKay said during a public comment. “The idea for the supervisory office is too underdeveloped and the standards for who can serve in the office are missing. Phoenix City Councilor Sal DiCiccio voted against the office. (Source: 3TV / CBS 5) The office will have a director, legal experts and community workers who will review cases and make recommendations. The budget for this new office is nearly $ 4 million and the money comes from the newly approved city budget. Phoenix Law Enforcement Association President Britt London sent a statement stating: “We are extremely disappointed that the Phoenix City Council has decided to ignore the concerns of local law enforcement agencies and create a new political entity that the divisive narrative against our men and women in uniform continues. Our existing mechanisms allow civil oversight to interview officials in the Disciplinary Commissions and Committees on the Use of Violence. Let me be abundantly clear: we support transparency and accountability and have worked diligently with community leaders on real solutions, but these efforts to create the Bureau of Accountability and Transparency are being led by activist organizations trying to eliminate our police department and their own progressive measures implement agenda. “Ducey restricts civilian oversight of police misconduct. Phoenix Vice Mayor Carlos Garcia said in a statement:” The testimonies we have heard today from families affected by police violence are (sic) just that Reason why we need this office for this change in the city. I also thank the mayor and city councilors Ansari, Guardado and Pastor for voting for this. The work continues and I hope you will continue to be our office and the city involved in the implementation of this office. ” BREAKING: Shameful OAT Vote “What Phoenix did today was to endorse the most radical, extremist, and anti-police plan in the country. Today’s vote was not about accountability or transparency, but about handing unlimited power to hate groups. pic.twitter.com/SikqW72YAh – Sal DiCiccio (@Sal_DiCiccio) May 20, 2021 Copyright 2021 KPHO / KTVK (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
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