The Justice Department's investigation into the Phoenix Police Department is facing resistance from city officials, who are unwilling to cede control to federal authorities. The investigation, which has been ongoing for nearly 2½ years, has intensified in recent months, with city leaders decrying the Justice Department's lack of collaboration and launching a campaign to counter the department's findings before they are made public.

The Phoenix Police Department, consisting of 2,600 officers, has been plagued by issues of violence and misconduct. In 2018, it ranked among the most violent police forces in the United States, with 23 fatal police shootings, the highest in the country. The department has also faced allegations of excessive force and false charges against protesters during social justice demonstrations in 2020.

While city leaders acknowledge some instances of officer misconduct, they argue that it does not constitute a systemic pattern of unconstitutional policing. They point to recent changes implemented by the police department, including a new use-of-force policy, additional officer training, and the establishment of a city oversight office to monitor internal misconduct investigations.

The "pattern or practice" probe was launched by Attorney General Merrick Garland in August 2021, as part of the Biden administration's efforts to increase law enforcement accountability following the high-profile police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020. Similar investigations in Minneapolis and Louisville have resulted in reports of systemic misconduct and plans for federal oversight, but Phoenix officials remain resistant.

In a letter to top Justice officials, Phoenix officials expressed their discontent with the investigation, claiming that federal investigators have denied their requests to review a draft of the report. They warned that federal oversight is not the appropriate solution for the one of the nation's largest police departments.

City officials submitted a 50-page summary highlighting the steps taken by the Phoenix police to address excessive force and enhance accountability. They are asking the Justice Department to issue a technical assistance letter instead of seeking a consent decree, as they believe the administrative oversight associated with consent decrees can impede quick and effective change.

If no settlement is reached, the Justice Department would need to sue the city in order to obtain a consent decree. These arrangements can cost local jurisdictions millions of dollars annually and may last for over a decade.

Interim police chief Michael Sullivan, who assumed the position in September 2022, emphasized the city's commitment to reform. He stated that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to reform and expressed openness to alternative methods.

Nevertheless, civil rights activists in Phoenix view the city's resistance as an attempt to protect the police department's reputation and preemptively mitigate the impact of the federal investigation. They accuse the police of mistreating homeless individuals and conducting sweeps to clear out encampments.

The Justice Department's investigation in Phoenix has been riddled with disagreements over requests for information, with local officials arguing that some requests violated privacy laws. The federal investigators have conducted multiple interviews, reviewed data, policies, and videos, and made eight visits to the city.

Phoenix's police force has gained notoriety for its high number of deadly encounters. A study by Mapping Police Violence revealed that the city had the most deadly police force among the ten most populous cities in the United States from 2013 to 2021. Phoenix officers have fatally shot at least 111 people since 2015, surpassing the numbers in cities like Chicago and New York.

As the standoff between Phoenix officials and the Justice Department escalates, it showcases the challenges faced by the federal agency in compelling local law enforcement agencies to implement significant reforms aimed at addressing systemic issues within policing practices.