PSJ Minutes 11-6-24 Final Draft.pdf

Phoenix City Council 
Public Safety and Justice (PSJ) Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 
City Council Chambers 
200 W. Jefferson Street 
Phoenix, AZ 
Subcommittee Members Present                    Subcommittee Members Absent         
Councilman Kevin Robinson, Chair                 Councilwoman Betty Guardado  
Councilwoman Ann O’Brien  
Councilman Jim Waring  
 
CALL TO ORDER 
Chairman Robinson called the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee (PSJ) to order 
at 10:04 a.m. with Chairman Robinson, Councilwoman O’Brien, and Councilman Waring 
present.  
MINUTES OF MEETINGS 
1. Minutes of the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee Meeting 
Councilwoman O’Brien made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 23, 2024, 
Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee meeting. Councilman Waring seconded the 
motion which passed unanimously, 3-0. 
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION 
2. Request for Appropriation of Neighborhood Block Watch Funds – Citywide   
Police Assistant Chief Jeff Benza, Neighborhood Services Director Spencer Self, and 
Street Transportation Assistant Director Briiana Velez presented on this item. 
Chief Benza provided an overview of the Neighborhood Block Watch Grant Program 
(NBWGP). 
Mr. Self stated the NBWGP funds have supported the Gated Alley Program (GAP) and 
Gated Culvert (Wash) Program. 
Ms. Velez provided an update on the culvert locations that have been successfully 
gated, as well as those that were ineligible. She noted there are 10 remaining locations 
to be gated by January 2025.  
Councilman Waring expressed support for the Gated Culvert (Wash) Program and 
asked if there any intentions to expand the program to additional locations. 
Attachment A

Ms. Velez stated the Streets Transportation and Neighborhood Services departments 
could work to identify further culverts. Mr. Self stated gate pricing came in lower and 
subsequently allowed them to gate additional locations than initially anticipated.  
Mr. Self continued the presentation by providing an update on the GAP completed 
gated locations and ongoing maintenance. He  added more than 300 GAP requests for 
Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 are estimated which is more than triple what current funding 
supports.  
Councilwoman O’Brien asked how many more alleys are left to gate. 
Mr. Self stated there are approximately 2,500 alley segments Citywide.  
Councilwoman O’Brien asked if $2.8 million is anticipated to come in for FY2024-2025. 
Assistant City Manager Lori Bays stated the City will continue to receive approximately 
$2.8 million annually where approximately $2 million will be allocated to the block watch 
grant program and $800,000 would be available for other potential public safety uses, 
such as gating washes and alleys. 
Councilman Waring made a motion to approve Item 2. Councilwoman O’Brien 
seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 3-0.  
INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION 
3. Phoenix Police Department Hiring, Recruitment, and Attrition Report – Citywide 
Commander William Jou, Communications Director Dan Wilson, and Senior Public 
Information Officer Ryan Cody presented on this item. 
Commander Jou provided an overview of current staffing levels, including Police 
applications and new hires.   
Councilman Waring stated despite the Police Department’s larger size, its performance 
metrics are not comparable to the Scottsdale, AZ Police Department’s smaller police 
force, suggesting Phoenix's growth rate should be proportionally higher. 
Commander Jou indicated there is crossover between applications since an applicant 
has the opportunity to select multiple municipal police departments and this may factor 
into the agency data presented.   
Chairman Robinson asked if staff could infer why applicants have been selecting the 
Phoenix Police Department over others. 
Commander Jou stated surveying and focus groups with new applicants have begun 
when they undergo the Police Training Academy, although data is not available to

report. He added staff has spoken with applicants and many stated they chose Phoenix 
due to it being the largest agency and that it offers competitive pay.  
Commander Jou explained progress made towards the June 2024 goals which included 
consistently staffing the Police Training Academy with 35 recruits and identifying and 
eliminating bottlenecks in processes which includes application completion, scoring of 
the physical agility test, communication regarding the application process, and medical 
screening process.  
Councilwoman O’Brien thanked Police for streamlining the medical screening process 
and asked if staff could confirm whether the medical equipment being utilized for the 
examinations is the most up to date.  
Mr. Wilson provided an update on marketing and advertising efforts. He indicated a 
three-month pilot program was designed with the marketing firm ON Advertising to see 
if a strategic change would produce results more in line with Police expectations and he 
provided detail on some of the results.  
Chairman Robinson asked for further elaboration on leads versus applications, as it 
occurs when an applicant applies through Indeed. 
Mr. Wilson explained the difference between leads and applications in the Human 
Resource (HR) process: a lead occurs when HR is notified about someone's interest, 
while an application begins when that person starts the formal application process.  
Chairman Robinson asked what the timeframe is between a lead and a HR contact.  
Mr. Wilson confirmed the HR team is checking the site three times a week.  
Councilman Waring asked staff to identify successful marketing which results new hires.  
Mr. Wilson stated new hires undergoing the Police Training Academy are being asked 
what method they responded to best to apply and eventually be hired.   
Mr. Cody presented on recruiting partnerships with several local universities.    
Councilman Waring asked how high school students are being engaged.   
Commander Jou stated Police is engaged with high schools where information about 
the Cadet Program is being shared to younger adults seeing to enter the field.  
Councilman Waring added he would like Police to explore what recruiting would look 
like during high school sporting events.  
Councilwoman O’Brien noted recruiting events could also be held during career fairs.

Councilman Waring asked if staff has looked at advocating for a law enforcement 
program at the collegiate level to address public safety hiring needs.  
Mr. Cody indicated Police has previously held events on college campuses and 
discussed several past events.  
Councilwoman O’Brien expressed concern over retention rates and asked if there are 
any projections for the remaining of calendar year 2024. She also asked about 
information related to separations by years of service.  
Commander Jou stated he would provide follow up information soon.  
Chairman Robinson asked if staff could provide further information on new applicants by 
gender and race, what has been the biggest disqualifier in terms of not moving forward 
through the application process, and the feasibility to undergo a pre-hire process.  
Commander Jou stated prehiring is already in place if recruits meet the requirements.  
4. Police Training Academy Report – Citywide 
Commander Sara Garza presented on this item. Commander Garza provided an 
overview of the Police Training Academy and details on all components included in the 
training. She described the academy components, which include law enforcement 
academics, physical fitness, wellness and safety, defensive tactics, and more. 
 
Councilwoman O’Brien asked if the Phoenix Advanced Training which adds an 
additional 354.75 hours is required. Commander Garza replied yes.  
 
Chairman Robinson asked what the use of force course entails. 
 
Commander Garza indicated there is a two-day training, tactics, applicable force, and 
safely execute said forces. She added sergeants are well-versed in this training.  
 
Councilman Waring asked how many recruits depart from the Academy after the 
physical fitness examination.  
 
Commander Garza indicated there is low percentage of recruits that do not pass the 
examination and added this is due to many undergoing the SWET program.  
 
Commander Garza indicated next steps would include providing a detailed presentation 
on advanced training. 
 
Councilman Robinson asked for staff to explore the idea of taking groups of citizens 
through the Police Training Academy to provide further understanding on what they are 
being trained on.

INFORMATION ONLY  
5. Fire Staffing and Response Time Report – Citywide  
Information only. No councilmember requested additional information. 
6. Community Assistance Program (CAP) Expansion Implementation Report – 
Citywide  
Information only. No councilmember requested additional information. 
CALL TO THE PUBLIC  
None.  
 
FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 
None. 
 
ADJOURNMENT 
Chairman Robinson adjourned the meeting at 11:32 a.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
 
Destiny Dominguez 
Management Fellow