After exactly six months without shooting a single civilian, Phoenix police officers shot and killed four in 41 days. They shot an additional two people during interactions during that period.
It’s not clear whether the half-year of non-violence or the recent surge has anything to do with policy changes, but the latter does happen to coincide with the beginning of new Chief Matt Giordano’s tenure leading the beleaguered department.
In light of the increase in “officer-involved shootings,” and following a Phoenix New Times story about it, Giordano issued a press release on Wednesday outlining actions he and top brass are taking to better ensure officers de-escalate dangerous situations…