Phoenix police have pattern of violating civil rights and using excessive force, Justice Department says

Phoenix police stand in a line during demonstrations over the death of George Floyd four years ago. Phoenix police violate people’s rights, discriminate against Black, Latino and Native American people when enforcing the law and use excessive force, the U.S. Justice Department said. Phoenix police discriminate against Black, Latino and Native American people, unlawfully detain homeless people and use excessive force, including unjustified deadly force, the U.S. Justice Department said Thursday. And the Justice Department said Phoenix police had violated the rights of people engaged in protected speech. But a top police union official called the Justice Department investigation a “farce.” Putting Phoenix police under a consent decree — a court-enforced plan for reform — would hurt the morale of officers, said Darrell Kriplean, president of the Phoenix Law Enforcement Assn., which represents about 2,200 officers.