PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Homeland Security Investigations searches at Zipps Sports Grill locations have sparked widespread protests across the Phoenix area, many aimed directly at federal immigration enforcement.
As demonstrations continue to grow, Phoenix Police Chief Matthew Giordano is laying out clear expectations for how his department will handle both planned and spontaneous protests — and what protesters can expect in return.
During a city council meeting Tuesday night, police outlined their approach to managing demonstrations while protecting First Amendment rights. The department relies on a policy called “First Amendment Activity Support and Management,” designed specifically for moments like those unfolding this week.
“We firmly believe in everyone’s first amendment rights to express their ideas and their thoughts. But we do want our overall guiding values is safety. We want everyone to be safe and when people take the road, it can become very dangerous,” Giordano said.
Every Phoenix police employee who interacts with the community is trained on the policy, including a video that walks officers through their roles during both planned and spontaneous protests. Police leaders emphasize that communication is key to keeping people safe as crowds grow.
The department will deploy officers from its Community Engagement Bureau to interact with demonstrators, often in plain clothes, to establish early communication with organizers or demonstration leaders. The goal is to explain safety concerns and set expectations, particularly if crowds expand or move toward busy streets.
The police department also announced significant changes to its use-of-force protocols Tuesday.
The announcement came days after a family said their father was shot and killed by an officer while restraining an armed intruder at their home. The officer-involved shooting is now under investigation.
During the city council meeting, department leaders presented updates to the use-of-force policy, including expanded options for less-lethal weapons. These tools include impact weapons, tasers and chemical irritants — options police say can help de-escalate tense encounters without resorting to deadly force.
The policy changes follow a Department of Justice report that accused Phoenix police of routinely using excessive force and being involved in a high number of officer-involved shootings.
“I want to reaffirm the department’s commitment and my commitment to full transparency. The ability and willingness to engage in tough conversations and continually looking for ways to provide a better level of service to the community that we serve,” Giordano said.
The chief noted that public feedback helped shape the final draft of the policy, now headed to city leadership for approval. Implementation is expected as early as next month.
Since taking over the department, the new chief has emphasized rebuilding community trust and expanding alternatives to lethal force.
The updated use-of-force policies represent another step toward that goal, setting new expectations for how officers handle the most dangerous and high-stress moments on the job.
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