Phoenix Task Force Recommends Improved Police Relations
Complaints and concerns about police relations drove a task force to convene and develop some recommendations for the City of Phoenix. Made up of civic leaders and community members, the task force would like to see cops have more positive interaction with the neighborhoods, particularly in South Phoenix. Their recommendations will be heard and voted on by the City Council at a December 14 meeting.
South Phoenix, with a heavy African American and Hispanic concentration has been the hotbed of police complaints and issues over the past several years. Even a city councilman was the subject of highly questionable police tactics one early morning last spring—being thrown to the ground and cuffed.
The community states police relations there are strained and that officers don’t even have common courtesy when dealing with law abiding citizens of those neighborhoods. They are said to treat everyone as a suspect before learning an entire story and repeatedly cuff and question people without just cause.
Among the twenty-five recommendations being made by the task force:
- Improve the way that the department notified citizens of the progress of their complaints,
- Increased diversity training for officers to ensure they are “culturally competent”,
- Develop a program geared toward improving community relations,
- Have “relationship-building” events with community leaders and police, and
- Require officers carry business cards with their badge numbers and supervisor’s contact information.
There seems to be a disconnect between how the public views the police in South Phoenix and how the law enforcement officers working that neighborhood view themselves. The community sees them as the bully on the block while the officers feel like they are being true to their title as “enforcers.”
Community-police relations are crucial to decreasing crime in a neighborhood and maintaining a sense of security for the people. If you feel like the cops are out to get you, why would you trust them to protect you?
This can be especially true if you have a criminal background or are facing criminal charges. Then, the “we vs. them” mentality is even more pronounced. Facing criminal charges is a sure way to feel like an outsider.
When you’re up against drug charges, assault charges, or any other charges it’s easy to feel like no one is on your side. A criminal defense attorney can be your advocate. If you’re up against a criminal case and not sure what to do, contact me today.
I can give you a free consultation on your case and we can discuss your options.
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