1 Ballard Spahr Investigations
This item provides a summary of the findings from the investigations conducted on behalf of the City Manager's Office by Ballard Spahr, LLP.
the criminal misconduct outlined in this investigation, anti government militia symbolism, and violence against our community ARE THE REASON that PPD cannot hire more people than are retiring. The Phoenix Police brand is toxic. A very bright light must be shown on the department and any scum must be scrubbed from it. Also - if we cannot hold our city employees accountable because of rules in the city charter then we need to amend our charter or rewrite it whole cloth. Fire dirty cops
We sincerely believe that our Mayor, City Manager and Chief Williams are the indiduvals equipped to correct any problems within the Phoenix Police Department. We support Chief Williams as the best person qualified and in place to correct any and all issues in the Phoenix Police Department. We do not support any effort to replace her as Chief of Police.
Sincerely Gene C. Blue President/ CEO Arizona OIC
Chairman AZ MLK Jr. Celebration Committee
The Ballard Spahr investigation clearly supports what the community has been saying for many years now, PLEA, the so called "police union" has too much power and actively protects corruption and violence within Phx PD and is the driving force in creating a culture of policing that refuses accountability and lacks transparency. PLEA MOU contract negotiations must be made public and open to the public. This report names specific officers who abused their power, fire them and remove their pensions.
Fire all officials and officers involved in the Ballard Spahr Investigations, Oct. 17th arrests, and the Challenge Coin. Both PLEA and MCAO are complicit entities. Implement the NOCAP Coalitions ordinance during the establishment of any Crisis Assistance Program. Chief Jeri Williams, Assistant Chief Connolly, and all connected assistant chiefs and officers need to be fired, with the removal of pensions, for their involvement and knowledge of these events. Allister Adel needs to go immediately.
Chief Williams has been an advocate for reform while also building bonds within the community. If she is fired, that will make an already struggling department that is seeing more retirements than new officers continue struggling to have an adequate police presence on the streets. City Council, reject this nakedly partisan effort by Carlos Garcia to intimidate officers at the expense of a proven leader in Jeri Williams.
In solidarity with directly impacted leadership I repeat the demands we’ve stated since November and place responsibility for PPD’s violence in city council’s hands. If City Council wants to actually advocate for true justice and accountability, they need to fire Ed, Jeri, and all the cops involved AND pay reparations to the people whose lives were ruined by these political prosecutions. We don’t need more ceremonial investigations! We need you to defund Phoenix PD.
There is recurring, decades of trauma + abuse inflicted on our community by the Phoenix Police Department. There is statistics and ground evidence that displays their racism + misuses of power. City council, stop allowing the Phoenix PD murder, torment, and abuse the people of Phoenix.
I support Chief Jeri Williams. She has always lead the Phx Police Department with integrity and accountability. She is the best person to continue to do so. Her resilience, knowledge, grace, and support is exactly what the City of Phoenix needs in a leader. The safety of the City of Phoenix has always been her number one priority. Chief Jeri Williams has been at the forefront tackling major issues within the city and she has dedicated her life to this city that she has sworn to protect.
I support our law enforcement 199% They put there lives on the line every day to protect us all. Even you! What would this city be like if on your worst day, you call for help and no one comes? There is good & bad in every walk of life. There is only one who can judge and it’s not us. Training & support will give the best results. Most people are good, they are just not knowing how to handle a rough situation and need help. Our officers do just that.
In solidarity with directly impacted leadership I repeat the demands we’ve stated since November and place responsibility for PPD’s violence in City Council’s hands. It’s your duty to ensure accountability for the actions of the PPD and prevent further costly harm to our community. All the PPD leadership and officers involved in the gang charges against protesters must be fired. They need to be stripped of their pensions and decertified with their salaries reallocated to reparations.
FIRE Ed Zuercher, Chief Williams, Sgt. McBride, all officers involved in gang charges against protesters, and all officers who aided in the circulation of the Neo-Nazi challenge coin. Revoke the pensions of all involved officers, including former officers. Disband TRU, DOU, SID, and Assaults Detail. Disband PLEA. AZPOST must decertify all involved officers. Reallocate funding from the disbanded TRU, DOU, SID, and Assaults Detail units for reparations to every person politically targeted by PPD.
FIRE Ed Zuercher, Chief Williams, Sgt. McBride, all officers involved in gang charges against protesters, and all officers who aided in the circulation of the Neo-Nazi challenge coin. Reparations for those affected! Defund Phoenix PD.
dear city council. the truth has rippled out to a wider community of citizens. you face an opportunity to do your small part. please act from that truth. fire all employees involved. compensate all protesters and their families. and know that this is not enough. see it as just another step in a longer road that leads to a system without policing...a world of true community care...where all our children can thrive. think about all the children in your life. see their faces. then, cast your vote.
In solidarity with directly impacted leadership I repeat the demands we’ve stated since November and place responsibility for PPD’s violence in city council’s hands. If City Council wants to actually advocate for true justice and accountability, they need to fire Ed, Jeri, and all the cops involved AND pay reparations to the people whose lives were ruined by these political prosecutions. We don’t need more ceremonial investigations! We need you to defund Phoenix PD.
The Phoenix PD brutalized peaceful protesters and then attempted to harm them even more by attempting to hit them with false charges with incredibly damaging consequences. All officers named in this report, including chief Williams, who conspired against innocent protestors should be fired immediately and loose their pensions and benefits. How can any one feel safe in Phoenix when a false felony change can be place on someone simply because a police officer doesn't like what they're saying?
We have been telling this council for over a year about political prosecutions we faced at the hands of PPD, which clearly colluded with MCAO and is shielded by a dangerously corrupt PLEA. Lives were jeopardized over city politics and I am thoroughly disgusted. Chief Jeri Williams, Asst Chief Connolly, Sgt McBride, all assistant chiefs must go for the parts they played against the community and innocent demonstrators. Ed Zuercher must go ahead of Oct. Ann O'Brien must be removed from PS&J chair.
Transparency should not solely apply to the police department. One of the city council violated a rule set to regulate his power and position. Remove Carlos Garcia and show the tax paying citizens the rules apply to all city employees, including the elected officials. Or is that too transparent?
As a Phoenix native, i respectfully "demand" that Mr. Garcia live up to his own standards and resign due to his lack of transparency & accountability. If he doesn't resign he should be removed from office for breaking the laws of the City Charter. The meeting should not be held until a decision is made about the removal of Mr. Garcia. His behavior & abuse of power have caused nothing but division & hatred. Mr Garcia needs to be investigated. Please remove him as per the city charter.
I FULLY support Phx PD and am completely against Chief Williams leaving the post in any manner! THANK YOU PHX PD for all you do to keep our City safe. I am a Phx Native and proud to work with Phx PD to improve our great City of Phx. More people need to get off the side lines and off their computers and social media and get out there and MAKE A DIFFERENCE in their communities! There are too many people who sit and complain and do absolutely NOTHING to make a change in our City.
the criminal misconduct outlined in this investigation, anti government militia symbolism, and violence against our community ARE THE REASON that PPD cannot hire more people than are retiring. The Phoenix Police brand is toxic. A very bright light must be shown on the department and any scum must be scrubbed from it. Also - if we cannot hold our city employees accountable because of rules in the city charter then we need to amend our charter or rewrite it whole cloth. Fire dirty cops
We sincerely believe that our Mayor, City Manager and Chief Williams are the indiduvals equipped to correct any problems within the Phoenix Police Department. We support Chief Williams as the best person qualified and in place to correct any and all issues in the Phoenix Police Department. We do not support any effort to replace her as Chief of Police.
Sincerely Gene C. Blue President/ CEO Arizona OIC
Chairman AZ MLK Jr. Celebration Committee
The Ballard Spahr investigation clearly supports what the community has been saying for many years now, PLEA, the so called "police union" has too much power and actively protects corruption and violence within Phx PD and is the driving force in creating a culture of policing that refuses accountability and lacks transparency. PLEA MOU contract negotiations must be made public and open to the public. This report names specific officers who abused their power, fire them and remove their pensions.
Fire all officials and officers involved in the Ballard Spahr Investigations, Oct. 17th arrests, and the Challenge Coin. Both PLEA and MCAO are complicit entities. Implement the NOCAP Coalitions ordinance during the establishment of any Crisis Assistance Program. Chief Jeri Williams, Assistant Chief Connolly, and all connected assistant chiefs and officers need to be fired, with the removal of pensions, for their involvement and knowledge of these events. Allister Adel needs to go immediately.
Chief Williams has been an advocate for reform while also building bonds within the community. If she is fired, that will make an already struggling department that is seeing more retirements than new officers continue struggling to have an adequate police presence on the streets. City Council, reject this nakedly partisan effort by Carlos Garcia to intimidate officers at the expense of a proven leader in Jeri Williams.
In solidarity with directly impacted leadership I repeat the demands we’ve stated since November and place responsibility for PPD’s violence in city council’s hands. If City Council wants to actually advocate for true justice and accountability, they need to fire Ed, Jeri, and all the cops involved AND pay reparations to the people whose lives were ruined by these political prosecutions. We don’t need more ceremonial investigations! We need you to defund Phoenix PD.
There is recurring, decades of trauma + abuse inflicted on our community by the Phoenix Police Department. There is statistics and ground evidence that displays their racism + misuses of power. City council, stop allowing the Phoenix PD murder, torment, and abuse the people of Phoenix.
I support Chief Jeri Williams. She has always lead the Phx Police Department with integrity and accountability. She is the best person to continue to do so. Her resilience, knowledge, grace, and support is exactly what the City of Phoenix needs in a leader. The safety of the City of Phoenix has always been her number one priority. Chief Jeri Williams has been at the forefront tackling major issues within the city and she has dedicated her life to this city that she has sworn to protect.
I support our law enforcement 199% They put there lives on the line every day to protect us all. Even you! What would this city be like if on your worst day, you call for help and no one comes? There is good & bad in every walk of life. There is only one who can judge and it’s not us. Training & support will give the best results. Most people are good, they are just not knowing how to handle a rough situation and need help. Our officers do just that.
In solidarity with directly impacted leadership I repeat the demands we’ve stated since November and place responsibility for PPD’s violence in City Council’s hands. It’s your duty to ensure accountability for the actions of the PPD and prevent further costly harm to our community. All the PPD leadership and officers involved in the gang charges against protesters must be fired. They need to be stripped of their pensions and decertified with their salaries reallocated to reparations.
FIRE Ed Zuercher, Chief Williams, Sgt. McBride, all officers involved in gang charges against protesters, and all officers who aided in the circulation of the Neo-Nazi challenge coin. Revoke the pensions of all involved officers, including former officers. Disband TRU, DOU, SID, and Assaults Detail. Disband PLEA. AZPOST must decertify all involved officers. Reallocate funding from the disbanded TRU, DOU, SID, and Assaults Detail units for reparations to every person politically targeted by PPD.
FIRE Ed Zuercher, Chief Williams, Sgt. McBride, all officers involved in gang charges against protesters, and all officers who aided in the circulation of the Neo-Nazi challenge coin. Reparations for those affected! Defund Phoenix PD.
dear city council. the truth has rippled out to a wider community of citizens. you face an opportunity to do your small part. please act from that truth. fire all employees involved. compensate all protesters and their families. and know that this is not enough. see it as just another step in a longer road that leads to a system without policing...a world of true community care...where all our children can thrive. think about all the children in your life. see their faces. then, cast your vote.
In solidarity with directly impacted leadership I repeat the demands we’ve stated since November and place responsibility for PPD’s violence in city council’s hands. If City Council wants to actually advocate for true justice and accountability, they need to fire Ed, Jeri, and all the cops involved AND pay reparations to the people whose lives were ruined by these political prosecutions. We don’t need more ceremonial investigations! We need you to defund Phoenix PD.
The Phoenix PD brutalized peaceful protesters and then attempted to harm them even more by attempting to hit them with false charges with incredibly damaging consequences. All officers named in this report, including chief Williams, who conspired against innocent protestors should be fired immediately and loose their pensions and benefits. How can any one feel safe in Phoenix when a false felony change can be place on someone simply because a police officer doesn't like what they're saying?
We have been telling this council for over a year about political prosecutions we faced at the hands of PPD, which clearly colluded with MCAO and is shielded by a dangerously corrupt PLEA. Lives were jeopardized over city politics and I am thoroughly disgusted. Chief Jeri Williams, Asst Chief Connolly, Sgt McBride, all assistant chiefs must go for the parts they played against the community and innocent demonstrators. Ed Zuercher must go ahead of Oct. Ann O'Brien must be removed from PS&J chair.
Transparency should not solely apply to the police department. One of the city council violated a rule set to regulate his power and position. Remove Carlos Garcia and show the tax paying citizens the rules apply to all city employees, including the elected officials. Or is that too transparent?
As a Phoenix native, i respectfully "demand" that Mr. Garcia live up to his own standards and resign due to his lack of transparency & accountability. If he doesn't resign he should be removed from office for breaking the laws of the City Charter. The meeting should not be held until a decision is made about the removal of Mr. Garcia. His behavior & abuse of power have caused nothing but division & hatred. Mr Garcia needs to be investigated. Please remove him as per the city charter.
I FULLY support Phx PD and am completely against Chief Williams leaving the post in any manner! THANK YOU PHX PD for all you do to keep our City safe. I am a Phx Native and proud to work with Phx PD to improve our great City of Phx. More people need to get off the side lines and off their computers and social media and get out there and MAKE A DIFFERENCE in their communities! There are too many people who sit and complain and do absolutely NOTHING to make a change in our City.
Fire all officers and officials involved in the Spahr investigation and provide reparations for those whose lives they ruined.