Phoenix Police Department Explained

Agencyname:Phoenix Police Department
Abbreviation:PHXPD
Patch:AZ - Phoenix Police.png
Badge:AZ - Phoenix Police Badge.png
Motto:We will serve, protect and reduce crime in Phoenix while treating everyone with dignity and respect.
Formedyear:1881
Preceding1:Phoenix City Marshal
Budget:$731m (2024)[1]
Country:United States
Countryabbr:US
Divtype:State
Divname:Arizona
Subdivtype:City
Subdivname:Phoenix
Map:Maricopa_County_Incorporated_and_Planning_areas_Phoenix_highlighted.svg
Sizearea:516sqmi.
Sizepopulation:1.64 million
Legaljuris:City of Phoenix
Police:Yes
Local:Yes
Sworntype:Officer
Sworn:Around 2,534
Minister1name:Kate Gallego
Minister1pfo:Mayor of Phoenix
Chief1name:Michael Sullivan
Chief1position:Interim Chief of Police
Chief2name:Derek Elmore
Chief2position:Executive Assistant Chief
Chief3name:Ed DeCastro
Chief3position:Assistant Chief
Chief4name:Sean Kennedy
Chief4position:Assistant Chief
Chief5name:Dennis Orender
Chief5position:Assistant Chief
Chief6name:Charmane Osborn
Chief6position:Assistant Chief
Unittype:Division
Officetype:Bureau
Stationtype:Precinct
Airbases:Deer Valley Airport
Vehicle1type:Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Impala, Ford Crown Victoria, Honda ST1300P motorcycle, Kawasaki 1000 motorcycle, Harley Davidson motorcycle
Aircraft1type:Helicopter
Aircraft1:9
Aircraft2type:Airplane
Aircraft2:3

The Phoenix Police Department is the law enforcement agency responsible for the city of Phoenix, Arizona. As of May 2024, the Phoenix Police Department comprises just over 2,500 officers, some 625 below authorized strength of 3,125[2] [3] and more than 1,000 support personnel. The department serves a population of more than 1.64 million[4] and patrol almost 516sqmi[4] of the fifth largest city in the United States.

History

Phoenix was incorporated as a city on February 5, 1881. Law enforcement was handled by Phoenix city marshals and later by Phoenix police officers. Henry Garfias, the first city marshal, was elected by residents in 1881 in the first elections of the newly incorporated city. For six years, he served as the primary law enforcement officer.

In the early 1900s, the Phoenix Police Department used Old Nelly, the horse, to pull the patrol wagon for officers. Most patrolling, however, was done on foot. The city at this time was only 3.1sqmi with a population of 11,134 people. Call boxes were used to notify an officer that headquarters wanted him. These were supplemented by a system of horns and flashing lights.

The first death of a Phoenix police officer in the line of duty in Phoenix occurred on February 5, 1925.[5] Officer Haze Burch was shot and killed by two brothers on the run from authorities. The men were later arrested when they were found hiding at the Tempe Buttes.[5]

In 1929, patrolmen worked six days a week and were paid $100 a month. The police department moved into the west section of the new city-county building at 17 South 2nd Avenue. The building included jail cells on the top two floors. In 1933, Ruth Meicher joined the police department as the first female jail matron. The city at this time was only 6.4sqmi, with a population of 48,200. In the year prior, the first police radio system in Arizona was installed for the department with the call letters KGZJ.[6]

The department reorganized in 1950 with four divisions, Traffic, Detectives, Patrol and Service Divisions.[6] Officers worked 44 hours per week for $288 per month. In 1974, the Air patrol unit was established initially consisting of one helicopter. A few months later, a fixed wing aircraft and two additional helicopters were added.[6]

In 2008, the department formed the Block Watch program, which is a partnership between citizens and the police department to help deter youth from crime. The department also runs a similar program under the name G.A.I.N. which stands for Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods.[7]

Phoenix police officers shot at least 41 people in 2018, the highest number in the department's history and the highest number of any U.S. city that year, killing at least 19 people. Of those shot, demographically, Native Americans were the most over-represented group for their population size, while Hispanics—who comprise 43 percent of the city's population—were shot most often overall.[8] [9] [10]

In 2018, the city budget allocated funding for 3,125 officers, but as of May 2024, the department had just over 2,500 officers, many of whom are eligible to retire.[11] As of 2024, PPD received 41 percent of funds allocated in the city's general fund budget.[12]

As of 2020, Phoenix has one of the highest rates of police killings in the United States.[13] Civil rights leaders and community activists have argued that the city's police officers are rarely held accountable for using lethal force and making false statements.[13] [14]

On August 5, 2021, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced an investigation into the Phoenix Police Department and the City of Phoenix.[15] In June 2024, the DOJ concluded its investigation, finding that the Phoenix Police Department routinely discriminates against people of color and uses excessive force, including unjustified deadly force.[16] [17]

Controversies

Structure

The Phoenix Police Department is divided into six divisions: Community and Support Services, Investigations, Management Services, Patrol, Reserve, Strategic and Tactical Services.[38]

Leadership

On September 12, 2022, Michael Sullivan took over as interim Police Chief of the Phoenix Police Department following the departure of former Chief Jeri Williams.[39] Sullivan began his career in law enforcement with the Louisville Metro Police Department. In 2019, he joined the Baltimore Police Department as Deputy Commissioner. Where he served in the Operations Bureau as well as led BPD's reform efforts and brought the agency into initial compliance with a number of the mandates of its Federal Consent Decree.[40]

Patrol Division

The Phoenix Police Department Patrol Division is organized into seven precincts:

Community and Support Services Division

Investigations Division

Strategic and Tactical Services Division

Management Services Division

Rank structure

The position of Executive Assistant Chief is considered second-in-command of the department. The collar rank insignia is indistinguishable from other Assistant Chiefs. However, the title "Executive Assistant Chief" is inscribed in the title scroll on the top of the breast badge to indicate the position.

After ten years in the rank of Sergeant, employees are authorized to add one rocker to the bottom of the sergeant stripes. After fifteen years in rank, two rockers are authorized and after twenty years in the rank of sergeant, three rockers are authorized to be added to the sergeant stripes. There is no associated elevation in actual rank, and no additional pay, as these extra rockers are optional and only meant to distinguish time in the grade and are not a promotion.

The Phoenix Police Department also uses shoulder patches to denote the positions of Sergeant-in-Training and Field Training Officer, although these are not official supervisory ranks.

TitleInsignia
Sergeant-in-Training
Field Training Officer

Resources

Transportation

The Phoenix Police Department uses Chevrolet Tahoes for their primary patrol vehicles, and Honda ST1300P Motorcycles, Kawasaki 1000 Motorcycles, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Aviation

The department uses three AgustaWestland A119 helicopters.They also fly five Eurocopter AS350 B3's and an AgustaWestland A109 Power for rescues.

The department also uses a Pilatus PC-12. This aircraft is intended for surveillance, but also serves as a transport.[43] Additionally, the Air Support Unit has three Cessna aircraft; one 1978 182Q, one 1981 172P and a P210R.[44]

Firearms

Phoenix Police officers are typically armed with a Glock 17 pistol chambered in 9mm. Several other handguns, shotguns, rifles and less than lethal launchers and munitions are also authorized.[45]

Fallen Officers

To date, 45 police officers and 7 K9's have died in the line of duty.[46]

OfficerEnd of WatchCause of Death
Officer Haze BurchGunfire
Officer David Lee "Star" JohnsonGunfire
Officer Walter H. StewartVehicular assault
Officer Dale Crist StoneMotorcycle crash
Officer Albert Raymond BluhmGunfire
Officer Clay Quincy HaywoodMotorcycle crash
Officer Michael D. HemschmeyerAutomobile crash
Officer Gilbert Richard ChavezGunfire
Police Guard John Franklin MacInnisHeart attack
Officer Arthur Edward Del Gaudio Jr.Vehicle pursuit
Officer Ignacio Gonzales "Nacho" ConchosGunfire
Officer John R. Davis Sr.Gunfire
Officer Kenneth E. CampbellVehicle pursuit
Officer Errol C. HawkinsStruck by vehicle
Officer Robert L. PolmanteerMotorcycle crash
Officer Kevin W. ForsytheStruck by vehicle
Officer John A. RobertsonGunfire
Officer Robert T. FikeGunfire
Officer Kenneth L. CollingsGunfire
Officer Patrick O. BriggsVehicle pursuit
Sergeant John Wayne DombliskyVehicular assault
Sergeant Danny L. TunneyVehicular assault
Officer Leonard Leon KolodziejGunfire
Sergeant David Martin KiefferVehicular assault
Officer Marc Todd AtkinsonGunfire
Officer Goelet Alessandro Carlo BeufAssault
Officer Beryl Wayne Scott Jr.Motorcycle crash
Officer Donald Ralph SchultzDrowning
Officer Jason Alan WolfeGunfire
Officer Eric James WhiteGunfire
Officer David Christopher UribeGunfire
Officer Paul Robert SalmonAutomobile crash
Officer George Valentino Cortez Jr.Gunfire
Officer Nicki James "Nick" ErfleGunfire
Officer Shane Cory FigueroaVehicular assault
Officer Travis Paul MurphyGunfire
Officer Daryl Michael RaetzStruck by vehicle
Detective John Thomas HobbsGunfire
Officer David Van GlasserGunfire
Officer Paul Thomas RutherfordStruck by vehicle
Commander Greg Scott CarnicleGunfire
Officer Ginarro Allen NewVehicular assault
Officer Mathew Aaron HefterCOVID19
Sergeant Thomas Crawford CraigCOVID19
Officer Phillip James Vavrinec Jr.COVID19
K9 OfficerEnd of WatchCause of Death
K9 RoscoeStruck by vehicle
K9 YeagerFall
K9 DaxGunfire
K9 HunterGunfire
K9 R.J.Vehicular assault
K9 TopHeatstroke
K9 BaneUnidentified

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Adopted Budget for Fiscal Year 2019-2020. . June 7, 2020.
  2. Web site: Phoenix Police expanding recruiting efforts as numbers continue to fall . . 2021-10-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221210015018/https://ktar.com/story/4740149/phoenix-police-expanding-recruiting-efforts-as-numbers-continue-to-fall/ . 2022-12-10 . live . Shapiro . Danny.
  3. Web site: Phoenix police facing staffing shortages . . 2021-09-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220810104613/https://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/central-phoenix/phoenix-police-facing-staffing-shortages . 2022-08-10 . live . Phillips . Mark.
  4. Web site: ABOUT US . phoenix.gov . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20010608071435/http://www.phoenix.gov/POLICE/aboutu1.html . 2001-06-08.
  5. Web site: Police Officer Haze Burch . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230328011445/https://www.odmp.org/officer/2495-police-officer-haze-burch . 2023-03-28 . live.
  6. Web site: PHOENIX POLICE HISTORY . phoenix.gov . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20010311062614/http://www.phoenix.gov/POLICE/histor1.html . 2001-03-11.
  7. Web site: G.A.I.N.. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130809152908/http://phoenix.gov/police/gain.html. August 9, 2013.
  8. Web site: Phoenix Police searching for answers, as officer involved shootings almost doubled in 2018 . 2018-12-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230304202852/https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/phoenix-police-searching-for-answers-as-officer-involved-shootings-almost-doubled-in-2018 . 2023-03-04 . live . Garcia . Nicole . . July 14, 2020.
  9. News: This city led the U.S. in police shootings last year. After a viral video, tensions are boiling over. June 27, 2019. The Washington Post. Eli. Rosenberg. https://web.archive.org/web/20190627203412/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/06/27/this-city-led-us-police-shootings-last-year-after-viral-video-tensions-are-boiling-over/. June 27, 2019.
  10. Web site: https://archive.today/20200714214439/https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2019/06/20/phoenix-police-shootings-outpace-other-major-us-cities/3651151002/. July 14, 2020. Phoenix police shot at more people than NYPD did in 2018. Will that change?. January 31, 2020. The Arizona Republic. Bree. Burkitt. Uriel J.. Garcia. July 14, 2020. live.
  11. Web site: 2024-03-18 . How the Phoenix Police Department is working to combat a systemic officer shortage . 2024-05-11 . KJZZ . en.
  12. Web site: Vera Project . What Policing Costs .
  13. Web site: Levin . Sam . 2020-07-14 . Revealed: Phoenix officer brutalized woman during minor traffic stop, then took her to jail . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230702065331/http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jul/14/revealed-phoenix-womans-brutal-police-assault-shown-on-body-camera-footage . 2023-07-02 . July 14, 2020 . The Guardian.
  14. Web site: How Phoenix Explains a Rise in Police Violence: It's the Civilians' Fault. https://web.archive.org/web/20181210075110/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/10/us/phoenix-police-shootings.html. December 10, 2018. December 10, 2018. The New York Times. Richard A. Jr.. Oppel.
  15. Web site: Justice Department Announces Investigation of the City of Phoenix and the Phoenix Police Department. August 5, 2021. United States Department of Justice.
  16. Web site: Billeaud . Jacques . 2024-06-13 . Phoenix police have pattern of violating civil rights and using excessive force, Justice Dept. says . live . http://web.archive.org/web/20240613175042/https://apnews.com/article/phoenix-police-civil-rights-violations-justice-department-6eb2193f8c85a31b11a782d4e5f1e663 . 2024-06-13 . 2024-06-17 . . en.
  17. News: Levin . Sam . 2024-06-13 . ‘Pervasive failings’: Phoenix police kill civilians without justification, US says . live . http://web.archive.org/web/20240615022437/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jun/13/phoenix-police-civil-rights-violations . 2024-06-15 . 2024-06-17 . . 0261-3077.
  18. News: Blue Lies Matter: Ex-Phoenix Cop Sergio Virgillo Told the Truth About Killer Cop Richard Chrisman, Inciting the Wrath of Local Police Union PLEA . 2017-08-31 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230305000513/https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/blue-lies-matter-ex-phoenix-cop-sergio-virgillo-told-the-truth-about-killer-cop-richard-chrisman-inciting-the-wrath-of-local-police-union-plea-8600030 . 2023-03-05 . live . Lemons . Stephen . Phoenix New Times . December 30, 2020.
  19. Mayor's son suspended for alleged inappropriate touching, by Alicia E. Barrón, AZFamily.com, August 25, 2011
  20. Former Phoenix police officer gets day of probation in assault, by J. J. Hensely, Arizona Republic, June 12, 2012
  21. Phoenix police Sgt probed for taking cash, by Donna Rossi, CBS5AZ.COM, July 17, 2012, retrieved July 21, 2012
  22. Former Phoenix officer pleads not guilty in sex case, by Laurie Merrill and Cecilia Chan, August 23, 2012, Arizona Republic
  23. Former police officer pleads no contest in off-duty security case, by Lori Jane Gliha, ABC15.com, December 3, 2012
  24. Web site: A Timeline of the Phoenix Police Department's Worst Misconduct Scandals . Phoenix New Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20230203103000/https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/timeline-of-the-phoenix-polices-worst-misconduct-scandals-11309123 . 2023-02-03 . live . O'Connor . Meg . 2021-11-08 . en.
  25. Web site: Phoenix Police Department trophy celebrates shooting man in groin during protests . KNXV . 2021-02-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230201192937/https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/investigations/protest-arrests/phoenix-police-department-trophy-celebrates-shooting-man-in-groin-during-protests . 2023-02-01 . live . February 8, 2021 . en.
  26. Web site: Phoenix police shot at more people than NYPD did in 2018. Will that change? . www.azcentral.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315040315/https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2019/06/20/phoenix-police-shootings-outpace-other-major-us-cities/3651151002/ . 2023-03-15 . live . 2021-11-08 . en.
  27. Web site: Phoenix police fire officer involved in viral confrontation with Dravon Ames, Iesha Harper . AZFamily . https://web.archive.org/web/20211101125532/https://www.azfamily.com/news/phoenix-police-fire-officer-involved-in-viral-confrontation-with-dravon-ames-iesha-harper/article_52678c98-f50e-11e9-95e6-df5006c439ca.html . 2021-11-01 . live . 2021-11-01 . en.
  28. Web site: Phoenix Police Settlement Claims Cost $26 Million Over 10 Years . KJZZ . 2019-08-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230605111337/https://kjzz.org/content/1115041/phoenix-police-settlement-claims-cost-26-million-over-10-years . 2023-06-05 . live . 2021-11-01 . en.
  29. Web site: AZ . Centeral . Phoenix police ID officers who fatally shot man after responding to trespassing call . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20211102005149/https://www.azfamily.com/news/continuing_coverage/phoenix_police_misconduct_allegations/family-of-men-shot-by-phoenix-police-emboldened-after-video/article_165f27f0-9475-11e9-b09e-0b389de40960.html . 2021-11-02 . 2021-11-01 . AZFamily . en.
  30. Web site: Phoenix PD firing officer who shot, killed Ahwatukee man last year . AZFamily . https://web.archive.org/web/20211108200759/https://www.azfamily.com/news/phoenix-police-officer-jeff-cooke-to-be-fired-ryan-whitaker/article_9fdb0b1e-eb1e-11eb-9cb5-736fe2061b1f.html . 2021-11-08 . live . 2021-11-08 . en.
  31. Web site: Phoenix Police Department plans to fire officer who fatally shot Ryan Whitaker . The Arizona Republic . Curtis . Chelsea . 2021-11-08 . en-US.
  32. Web site: 2020-07-10. Controversial July 4th shooting sparks change at Phoenix's Police Department. 2021-11-08. KNXV. en.
  33. Web site: Phoenix police shot and killed a man in a parked car, sparking renewed protests . . 2020-07-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230208192236/https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/06/us/phoenix-police-shooting/index.html . 2023-02-08 . live . Konstantin Toropin . 2021-11-08.
  34. Web site: Phoenix police involved in more than 25 shootings in 2020 . KTAR.com . 2021-01-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220630010447/https://ktar.com/story/3792052/phoenix-police-involved-in-more-than-25-shootings-in-2020/ . 2022-06-30 . live . 2021-11-08.
  35. Web site: OpenGov . OIS Incidents . 2024-05-11 . OIS Incidents . en.
  36. Web site: Justice Department Announces Investigation of the City of Phoenix and the Phoenix Police Department . . 2021-08-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230821094415/https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-investigation-city-phoenix-and-phoenix-police-department . 2023-08-21 . live . 2021-10-27 . en.
  37. Web site: Phoenix police shot at more people than NYPD did in 2018. Will that change? . www.azcentral.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315040315/https://www.azcentral.com/in-depth/news/local/arizona-investigations/2019/06/20/phoenix-police-shootings-outpace-other-major-us-cities/3651151002/ . 2023-03-15 . live . 2021-11-08 . en.
  38. Web site: Department Organization Chart . . https://web.archive.org/web/20140221232623/http://phoenix.gov/webcms/groups/internet/@inter/@dept/@police/documents/web_content/085160.pdf . 2014-02-21 . live.
  39. Web site: Phoenix City Manager Names Interim Police Chief . 2024-05-11 . www.phoenix.gov . en-US.
  40. Web site: Police Executive Team . 2024-05-11 . www.phoenix.gov.
  41. Web site: Police – Maryvale Estrella Mountain Precinct . www.phoenix.gov . https://web.archive.org/web/20230519144235/https://www.phoenix.gov/police/precincts/maryvale . 2023-05-19 . live . en-US . September 15, 2018.
  42. Web site: Phoenix Police Rank Structure . https://web.archive.org/web/20230519144213/https://www.phoenix.gov/police/rank-structure . 2023-05-19 . live . City of Phoenix . February 9, 2021.
  43. Web site: Phoenix PD Purchases Plane . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064223/http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2010/03/21/20100321policeplane0321.html . 2016-03-04 . live.
  44. Web site: Landings.com Database Search.
  45. Web site: 2023-05-11 . Phoenix police using pepper-spray balls and foam batons in less lethal force program . 2024-05-11 . KJZZ . en.
  46. Web site: Phoenix Police Department . 2024-07-19 . ODMP. en.