Phoenix’s Ex-Police Chief Chides Politics in Policing
Jack Harris, Phoenix’s former Chief of Police granted an interview to The Arizona Republic this past week in which he spoke candidly about the politics involved in leading a modern, urban police force and those politics that contributed to his ultimate retirement.
Harris states that it is the City Manager’s job to limit politics in the Police Department ranks but that was something that simply didn’t happen. While Harris claims he was well-liked by the union and other powerful figures in the beginning, times changed and so did the players in the game. Once it was determined he wouldn’t go along with what these figureheads wanted from the department, they made it difficult for him.
Harris permanently retired just a few weeks ago and the Republic cites politics, battles with the police union, and the issues of questionable kidnapping statistics the department used to gain a federal grant while under his leadership all as reasons for his ultimate decision to leave the department.
But Harris states that his seven years is a pretty long stint when compared with other big-city chiefs. He says most in his position only last 3-5 years and end up leaving because of the politics, being forced out by politicians and powerful officials who want “their guy” in the chief’s place.
One of the issues at the center of Harris’ struggle with the union was his disdain for using city officers as immigration enforcement. That was something the union wanted to see Phoenix PD playing a bigger role in and something Harris resisted. But this issue didn’t arise until the current union board was elected.
Similarly, members of a newly elected City Council were not bashful about their desire to see Harris gone, something other members criticized them for. Those who were adamant about him leaving were even accused of violating a City Charter which dictated the absence of politics in the position of police chief.
But like nearly every other powerful position within the criminal justice system, politics has its way of sneaking in. When officials are more concerned about what makes them “electable” than what is right, we find ourselves in the midst of police and court officials who want to use their power to make statements rather than enforce and interpret the law of the land with respect to due process.
And gaming stats on Arizona criminal charges for funding is a serious and troubling accusation, though perhaps not surprising.
In a system that is wrought with politics and often plagued with a politically popular tough-on-crime mentality, the criminal defense attorney is often the only person out there with a criminal defendant’s constitutional rights in mind. If you are facing criminal charges and worried about your outcome, contact our offices for a consultation on your case today.
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