PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Community groups came together Wednesday to highlight the recent spike in Phoenix police officer-involved shootings under the new police chief and to call for change. Poder In Action, BLM PHX Metro, Mass Liberation AZ and Semillas said the changes Phoenix Police Chief Matt Giordano promised in response to the shootings don’t go far enough.
Since Giordano took office on Aug. 11, Arizona’s Family Investigates has found there have been nine police shootings. Six men died in those incidents.
Demographics and circumstances of recent cases
Arizona’s Family Investigates took a closer look at those nine cases. In five incidents, the person was armed with a knife or machete, three had guns, and one was unarmed.
The spike follows a previous decline in officer-involved shootings this year and comes after the Department of Justice retracted a scathing report into Phoenix Police tactics.
Community demands accountability
Several community groups gathered in front of City Hall with a list of demands on Wednesday.
“For the last 10 years, Phoenix police have implemented dozens of reforms. None have resulted in ongoing reduction in police violence,” said Monica from Poder In Action.
They want the immediate release of unedited body camera footage within 72 hours of all officer-involved shootings, a permanent freeze on the police budget, and more investment in community-led alternatives to policing.
Chief promises changes
Giordano addressed the spike two weeks ago following two officer-involved shootings that occurred less than 12 hours apart.
“I understand the concern this has with the number of incidents in the short time that I’ve been here. It’s not lost on me and we’re moving forward,” Giordano said.
The department released a response promising more training and expanded access to less-lethal tools. However, advocates remain skeptical of the proposed solutions.
“I don’t think that Chief Giordano is hearing us. I don’t think he is really with this plan, really getting to the root of the problem,” said one community leader.
During Wednesday’s City Council meeting, where members voted to approve a settlement agreement for a wrongful death case that dates back to 2019, Giordano outlined his approach.
“I met with every one of the precinct commanders and administrators personally last week,” Giordano said. “We always want to lead with less lethal if possible. We actually want to lead with communication if possible.”
The chief said additional training is already underway as the department works to address community concerns about the recent surge in police shootings.
Phoenix police is the only law enforcement agency in the state that promises to release bodycam video within 14 days of any police shooting.
In 2023, Arizona’s Family Investigates got an up-close look at the Phoenix Police Department’s de-escalation training for its officers called Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics or I-CAT. It’s made up of class sessions and scenarios of what officers may experience on calls.
The Phoenix Police Department has been doing special de-escalation training and Arizona’s Family Investigates got a behind-the-scenes look.
Part of the training was slowing scenes down in hopes of de-escalating the situation.
The chief said officers will be getting a refresher on that. He told the City Council that’s already started and will be completed by the end of the year.
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