Civil rights advocates are concerned that Phoenix police use of force reforms don’t seem to be having an effect. Officers have shot four people in the month since new Chief Matt Giordano was appointed.
Since his hiring, Giordano has said he’s committed to continuing the reforms that Phoenix police began since last year, when the Department of Justice found them to have patterns of unlawful conduct, including excessive force and racial discrimination.
“The city of Phoenix has taken steps that they think are what they say is a step towards police reform and increased public safety for everyone,” said Ben Laughlin, co-director of Phoenix grassroots organization Poder in Action. “But what we’re seeing is that you know those reforms that they’ve been putting in place, they’ve been advocating for haven’t worked.”…