PSJ 11.17.20 Final (003).pdf

Phoenix City Council 
Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee 
Summary Minutes 
Tuesday, November 17, 2020 
City Council Chambers  
200 West Washington Street 
Phoenix, Arizona 
Subcommittee Members Present                    Subcommittee Members Absent 
Councilman Nowakowski, Chair 
Councilmember Garcia 
         
Vice Mayor Guardado 
Councilwoman Williams  
 
Call to Order 
Chairman Nowakowski called the Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee meeting to 
order at 1:37 p.m. with Councilmember Garcia, Vice Mayor Guardado and 
Councilwoman Williams present. 
Call to the Public 
Samuel Merten expressed frustration with the management of the Phoenix Police 
Department, the use of force by police officers and the department’s low clearance 
rates. 
 
Amy Meglio expressed disappointment with the Phoenix Police Department for 
awarding police officers that have used force while on duty. 
 
Marcus Reid stated his support for additional oversight of the Phoenix Police 
Department. 
 
1. For Approval or Correction, the Minutes of the Public Safety and Justice 
Subcommittee Meeting on October 14, 2020 
Vice Mayor Guardado made a motion to approve the minutes of the Oct. 14, 2020 
Public Safety and Justice Subcommittee. Councilwoman Williams seconded the motion 
which passed unanimously, 4-0.  
2. Intergovernmental Agreement with Arizona State University for Services 
Associated with Police-Related Projects 
Item 2 was for consent action. No presentations were planned but staff was available to 
answer questions. 
 
Bhaki Anbarasan shared that a previous staffing study of the Phoenix Police 
Department stated the department was over-staffed and underworked. She then 
expressed support for reducing the Phoenix Police Department’s budget.

Camille Johnson expressed opposition for the intergovernmental agreement with 
Arizona State University. 
 
Jisoo Kim expressed opposition to the intergovernmental agreement with Arizona State 
University. 
 
Marcus Reid expressed opposition to the intergovernmental agreement with Arizona 
State University. 
 
Councilmember Garcia asked for further information on the intergovernmental 
agreement with Arizona State University. Chief Williams stated the proposed agreement 
would cover the costs of students participating in several studies of the Police 
Department. She shared these studies would focus on evaluating the impact of protests 
and to ensure the Police Department is aligned with national best practices. 
 
Councilmember Garcia asked if the information gathered from the study on protests 
would result in the criminalization of protesters. Chief Williams stated this information 
would not be used in prosecution. 
 
Councilwoman Williams made a motion to approve consent item 2. Vice Mayor 
Guardado seconded the motion which passed unanimously, 4-0. 
 
3. Police Use of Force Policy Changes 
Chief Williams stated the Phoenix Police Department eliminated the carotid control 
technique from department policy in June 2020. She also shared the Police Department 
implemented a Duty to Intervene Policy in September 2020. 
 
Chief Williams stated the Police Department began requiring officers to render first aid 
while awaiting official medical response in September 2020 and began having officers 
become Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certified. She then shared another policy 
that was changed included using deadly force with moving vehicles is only permissible 
in extreme, life-threatening situations. 
 
Councilmember Garcia asked why the department only banned the carotid control 
technique and not all forms of chokeholds. Chief Williams stated the national 
recommended practice was to ban the carotid control technique. She also shared the 
tactical training detail is evaluating banning other techniques as well.  
 
Councilmember Garcia asked how the reforms are being implemented by officers while 
on duty and if there are protections for officers that intervene during excessive force 
situations. Chief Williams stated implementation is conducted by extensive training and 
review of body worn camera footage. She shared the officers are protected by 
personnel rules, notices from supervisors and that this information will be included in e-

learning modules. Chief Williams concluded by stating the Professional Services Board 
would review cases when the duty to intervene was not implemented. 
 
Councilmember Garcia asked for further information on the EMT training of officers. 
Chief Williams stated that medical equipment will be provided to medically trained 
officers and a basic kit to quickly address injuries.  
 
Councilmember Garcia asked for more information on the effectiveness of the e-
learning training and of the current systems of accountability. Chief Williams shared 
when new policies are identified they are reviewed by officers, labor representatives, 
and community members. She stated management receives changes, adjustments, and 
feedback then incorporates it into the new policy. Chief Williams also stated the 
department updates the Mayor and Council while policy changes are being 
implemented.  
 
Vice Mayor Guardado expressed appreciation for the policy changes and encouraged 
the continuation of efforts to improve the Police Department’s operation. 
 
Vanessa DiCarlo stated the Phoenix Police Department needed to do more to ensure 
public safety and reduce the use of force. 
 
Sarai Richter stated banning one choke hold technique is not enough to ensure public 
safety and more policy changes need to be completed. 
 
Camille Johnson stated more reforms to the Phoenix Police Department must be 
implemented and expressed support to defund the police.  
 
Parris Wallace expressed frustration for officers on the Brady List receiving 
commendation awards and stated support for more robust reforms to the Phoenix 
Police Department. 
 
Amy Meglio stated all choke hold techniques need to be banned by the Phoenix Police 
Department. 
 
Patricia Pagliuca stated the policy changes are not strict enough and expressed support 
for making the council meetings more accessible to the public. She also expressed 
support to abolish the police. 
 
Councilmember Garcia asked if the duty for officers to administer medical treatment 
would include individuals experiencing a drug overdose. Chief Williams stated that 
officers are armed with drug overdose treatments and continue to identify ways to 
mitigate police intervention with individuals experiencing a mental health or drug crisis.

4. Phoenix Police Department Behavioral Health Response  
Assistant Chief Sean Connolly stated that the Phoenix Police Department receives 
more than 200 behavioral health-related calls per month. He shared the Police 
Department is focused on decriminalizing the disease of mental illness through non-
traditional police response by sharing responsibilities with behavioral health 
professionals. Assistant Chief Connolly stated the department’s goal is to improve the 
overall response and connection to resources for individuals experiencing a mental 
health crisis. 
 
Assistant Chief Connolly provided an overview of the Phoenix Police Department’s 
Behavioral Health Response Approaches. These approaches include the 911 Behavior 
Health Deflection Program, the One Mind Campaign, meeting with the community for 
feedback on the department’s advisory boards, partnering with Arizona State University 
(ASU) to send smart notification for first responders, expanding the Crisis Intervention 
Team (CIT) to include a clinician in the response, implementing the Patrol Crisis 
Intervention Referral program and utilizing the Handle with Care national best practice 
while interacting with youth. 
 
Assistant Chief Connolly concluded his presentation by stating that staff continues to 
assess and evaluate additional options and best practices to better serve the 
community. 
 
Councilmember Garcia asked about the possibility of moving the CIT to the Fire 
Department and for more information about representation of the mental health advisory 
boards. Assistant Chief Connolly stated the possible co-location of the CIT with the Fire 
Department is currently being evaluated. He also shared the advisory boards currently 
include diverse representation. 
 
Councilmember Garcia stated being involved in a crime is a traumatic event so the City 
should utilize resources outside of the Police Department to assist with mental health 
response. Assistant Chief Connolly stated many of the relationships with partners for 
mental and behavioral response is often provided in-kind. 
 
Vice Mayor Guardado asked if it would be possible to move the CIT to the Fire 
Department. Assistant Chief Connolly stated staff would need to analyze outcomes to 
effectively determine the possibility of co-locating the CIT within the Fire Department. 
 
Councilwoman Williams asked if the responders are wearing uniforms. Assistant Chief 
Connolly stated the clinicians and other members of the CIT are in professional clothes 
but not in an official police uniform.  
 
Walter Gray requested the Phoenix Police Department provide an analysis of officer-
involved shootings and what can be corrected from these situations.

Samuel Merten stated the behavior health responses approach are inadequate and are 
too focused on law enforcement.  
 
Councilwoman Williams expressed appreciation for the policy changes that the Phoenix 
Police Department have implemented over the past year. 
 
5. U visa Process 
Assistant Chief Sean Connolly provided an overview of the U visa process and 
introduced fellow presenters Commander Gonzales and Special Projects Administrator 
Jessica Rothschild. 
 
Commander Gonzales stated the U Nonimmigrant Status (U visa) program was created 
by U.S. Congress in 2000 to assist victims of a qualifying crime. She stated the U visas 
are granted to victims to aid in the investigation and prosecution of criminal activity to 
help victims feel safer reporting crimes if they do not have lawful immigration status. 
Commander Gonzales shared eligibility is determined by U.S. Citizenship and 
Immigration Services (USCIS). 
 
Commander Gonzales provided an overview of the role of law enforcement in the U visa 
process. She stated law enforcement issues signed certification forms that verify 
criminal activity and the victim’s willingness to assist law enforcement. Commander 
Gonzales shared that USCIS conducts a thorough background check of each petitioner. 
 
Commander Gonzales stated each certification request is reviewed through a two-tiered 
process which currently occurs within 30 days. She stated that approximately 5,400 
certification requests were received in the past year with 94 percent being certified.  
 
Councilwoman Williams asked what is considered a qualifying crime. Commander 
Gonzales stated there are 28 qualifying crime including domestic violence, human 
trafficking and other serious crimes. 
 
Councilmember Garcia asked if the Police Department prioritizes providing reports that 
are needed to advance immigration determinations. Ms. Rothschild stated the process 
could be expedited through the web-based portal that is currently available. 
 
Chairman Nowakowski stated a significant concern from immigration attorneys is 
accessing police reports on a timely manner and emphasized the importance of 
providing these reports within 30 days.  
 
Vice Mayor Guardado requested regular updates from staff on requested police reports 
as well as the amount of reports that have been provided and amount of time used to 
process the reports. 
  
Call to the Public  
Walter Gray requested more transparency from the Phoenix Police Department.

Future Agenda Items 
Assistant City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr. stated future agenda items include updates 
on protests, the air fleet replacement, vaping, street racing, the community policy review 
panel and community hiring review board.  
 
Vice Mayor Guardado asked for a report on CrimeStop and dispatch data organized by 
call volume, wait times and reasons for the calls. 
 
Adjournment 
Chairman Nowakowski adjourned the meeting at 3:05 p.m. 
 
Respectfully submitted, 
Zack Wallace