Meeting Time: October 13, 2020 at 2:30pm MST
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Agenda Item

3 Office of Accountability and Transparency Ordinance Discussion

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    Celina Tchida about 4 years ago

    We've been watching the results of internal investigations conducted by local police forces. No cops are held accountable for their violence and indiscretions. What is the point of creating this mechanism at all if it is going to be run and influenced internally? This does nothing for accountability or transparency. Who are you letting eat away at the potency of this office? Changing language from conducting to monitoring investigations... you are rendering this office a complete waste of time.

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    Jennifer Dhanwantri about 4 years ago

    The very thought of allowing law enforcement to have any input at all in this matter is. just ludicrous. Would you allow employees to conduct their own performance evaluations and give themselves raises? Criminals to arrest themselves and punish themselves? No you would not. Why? Because it’s human nature to go easy on yourself and reward yourself, even if your conduct is bad. Allowing cops to have input in investigations conducted against their brethren is letting the inmates run the asylum.

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    Kalina Ikonomova about 4 years ago

    The vote on this policy must be delayed until a community process has happened and independent investigations have been included. The fact that you've built this policy entirely behind closed doors, while quietly trying to add cops onto the staff and excluding independent investigations shows us that you never cared about the safety and wellbeing of Black and Brown people in this city, or the families who've had someone killed by phx police. NO OAT WITHOUT INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS

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    Arlene Mahoney about 4 years ago

    If the civilian oversight policy doesn’t have independent investigations and community participation in the policy writing, we’re asking Council to delay the vote until they get it right and honor our clear demands. Something is NOT better than nothing when our lives are on the line.

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    Gabrielle Honda about 4 years ago

    I would echo Shane Brennan's earlier comments and add:

    Some of those who oppose police accountability accuse us who are calling for it "a vocal minority" seeking to override the will of the "silent majority". I would point out that this phrase historically has served as a dog whistle signalling white supremacist ideals. I call upon this council to condemn this rhetorical device and also the racism implicit in our current system of policing that resists real accountability and transparency.

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    Ben Laughlin about 4 years ago

    The vote on this policy must be delayed until a community process has happened and independent investigations have been included. The fact that you've built this policy entirely behind closed doors, while quietly trying to add cops onto the staff and excluding independent investigations shows us that you never cared about the safety and wellbeing of Black and Brown people in this city, or the families who've had someone killed by phx police. NO OAT WITHOUT INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS.

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    Rebecca Menjivar about 4 years ago

    No POLICE in civilian oversight they will not hold police accountable. We need private and independent investigations!

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    Laura Hudson about 4 years ago

    If the point of OAT is to increase transparency and accountability, removing independent investigations and community participation from OAT/CRB is counterproductive and gives the perception that the council is uninterested in meaningful reform. The vote must be delayed until independent investigations and community participation from OAT/CRB has been restored to the plan.

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    Carol Hehman about 4 years ago

    If the civilian oversight policy doesn’t have independent investigations and community participation in the policy writing, we’re asking Council to delay the vote until they get it right and honor our clear demands. Something is NOT better than nothing when our lives are on the line.

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    Erik Shearer about 4 years ago

    The OAT is supposed to hold police accountable. In what universe would it be advisable to place cops on a committee overseeing accountability and transparency? The Phoenix Police department has already proven it takes little to no accountability when it comes to use of force, racial bias, and so many other issues. Please DO NOT allow cops to serve on OAT. Honestly, I can’t even believe this is up for discussion. As our elected public officials, do what’s right, and vote no for police on OAT.

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    Ariane Redding about 4 years ago

    There should not be any police participation whatsoever in a civilian oversight committee. Cops will inevitable protect each other and their friends and, given the power, they will let them off the hook for crimes like murder and assault, just as they've always done. This Oversight Committee is nothing if it does not have independent investigative power.

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    Brent Armstrong about 4 years ago

    If the goal of OAT is to increase police transparency and accountability, allowing police participation in OAT is unacceptable. Delay the vote until the policy reflects what the community was promised.

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    Miriam Araya about 4 years ago

    If your civilian oversight policy doesn’t have independent investigations and community participation in the policy writing, we’re against it! Something is NOT better than nothing when our lives are on the line. It is TOTALLY unacceptable that cops could work at the OAT.

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    Annalisa Cardon about 4 years ago

    The city of phoenix is playing games. Our community leaders are facing felonies because phoenix police are so thin skinned. Percy was behind bars on false charges while you’re sitting here considering putting cops on OAT. This is disrespectful to the real community leaders who are demanding an OAT with real independent investigative powers, a community oriented drafting process, and absolutely NO COPS ON OAT.

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    Yasaman Parsi about 4 years ago

    Any institution that seeks to establish justice must do so using an unbiased lens through which challenges can be addressed in the most efficient and and unprejudiced manner. It is critical then, that the oversight committee being established has, at its very core & foundation, justice, & operates with transparency & candor. This is why it’s important for those who are evaluating the challenges do not have any affiliation with the institutions or the people in the institutions being evaluated.

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    Claire McLoone about 4 years ago

    You let community organizers know just one day before this meeting that you will be voting today to allow cops to apply to work at OAT. This is not what was asked for by the community. Delay the vote until they get it right and honor the community’s demands.

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    Ricki Hamilton about 4 years ago

    Please for the love of all things LISTEN to your constituents - you all agreed to this when you ran for the office of a public servant. Police having control over investigating themselves will only enable more violence. PHX PD has killed and maimed our communities and will continue doing so unless they are overseen by a nonpartisan CIVILIAN led group. Anything else is allowing state-sanctioned fascist violence; do trust that the people you serve will do the utmost to hold all of you accountable.

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    Hana Hehman about 4 years ago

    Community leaders are facing felonies because the anti-Black white supremacist phoenix police are so thin skinned. The real community leaders who are demanding an OAT with real independent investigative powers and absolutely NO COPS ON OAT. You’re sitting here talking about excluding lawyers who have sued the city for the atrocities you have committed upon us while trying to fill OAT with the cops who have committed those atrocities. Delay this vote, take your police union money and leave us.

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    Shane Brennan about 4 years ago

    Police should not be able to govern itself. The OAT is instrumental in holding the Phoenix police department accountable. This independent organization helps build trust within the community and keeps the police in line. In light of recent events and especially in light of generations of brutality and discrimination by police, it is crucial to keep this organization independent for the safety of the community and the growth of trust between the police and the community they serve.

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    Aubrey Ehrle about 4 years ago

    We need a CRB with independent investigations written in. The community involvement is key. If you are a White person and you vote for this as is, then you are voting to silence Black and Brown communities who have been disproportionately impacted by police brutality. If police have nothing to hide, then there should be nothing to worry about. Mothers are rising. We are demanding love and respect for ALL children. It’s time to change the current system. Join us or we will vote you out.