Report uncovering biased policing in Phoenix prompts gathering in support of the victims

PHOENIX (AP) — Supporters of over two dozen alleged victims of civil rights violations at the hands of Phoenix police plan to speak out Friday, a day after the release of a scathing U.S. Justice Department report outlining a pattern of excessive force and racial discrimination.

Jarrett Maupin, a Phoenix activist known for working with victims alleging police brutality, will hold the afternoon gathering in the city’s downtown.

The sweeping civil rights investigation found “overwhelming statistical evidence” that Phoenix police discriminate against Black, Hispanic and Native American people, as well as unlawfully detain homeless people and use excessive force. The report says investigators found stark contrasts in how officers enforce certain — especially low-level — crimes depending on a person’s race and that officers tended to fire their weapons unnecessarily or “unreasonably delay” aid to those they injured.

Ben Crump, the Florida-based attorney who has become the voice for Black people killed at the hands of police and vigilantes, represents the family of Akeem Terrell, a man who died in a jail in Phoenix in 2021. He said he hopes the report’s recommendations will mean improving the policing culture.

<bsp-list-loadmore data-module="" class=«PageListStandardB» data-gtm-region=«RELATED COVERAGE» data-gtm-topic=«No Value» data-show-loadmore=«true» data-gtm-modulestyle=«List B»> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> RELATED COVERAGE </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Justice Department says Phoenix police violated rights. Here are some cases that drew criticism </bsp-custom-headline> <bsp-custom-headline custom-headline=«div»> Phoenix police have pattern of violating civil rights and