In a damning report released on Thursday, the US Department of Justice revealed its findings of systemic discrimination and unjustified use of force within the Phoenix police department. The investigation, spanning three years, uncovered a "pattern or practice" of excessive force and civil rights violations against Black, Hispanic, and Native American individuals.

The landmark investigation marks the first time such a finding has been made against a US police department. The report also highlighted the unlawful detainment of unhoused individuals and the disposal of their belongings by the Phoenix police. Discrimination against individuals with behavioral health disabilities and violations against those engaging in protected speech were also revealed.

The Phoenix police have been under increased scrutiny in recent years due to a number of scandals involving police brutality and a disproportionately high rate of officer-involved killings. The Guardian has reported on incidents where Phoenix officers attacked and injured a young woman during a minor traffic stop, burned a teenager on hot pavement during restraint, and faced allegations of sexual assault while on duty.

The justice department found that certain laws, particularly drug and low-level offenses, were enforced with greater severity against Black, Hispanic, and Native American individuals compared to their white counterparts engaging in similar conduct. Investigators also discovered the use of "dangerous tactics that lead to force that is unnecessary and unreasonable."

The Phoenix police department has yet to respond to the report's release. Prior to the investigation's findings, the department had argued against oversight, claiming it was capable of implementing reforms independently. However, the justice department stated that the department's current efforts were inadequate and failed to address the full scope of the report's findings.

The report further revealed that the unlawful targeting and arrests of unhoused individuals were alarmingly prevalent, with 37% of all arrests in the city between 2016 and 2022 involving people experiencing homelessness. Police actions have also violated the rights of those sleeping outside by forcibly relocating them to a concentrated and more dangerous area known as the Zone, despite the recognition by city officials that being homeless is not a crime.

The justice department also criticized the city's 911 operations, highlighting the lack of necessary training provided to call-takers and dispatchers. While the city had invested $15 million to send non-police responders to mental health calls, the dispatchers often dispatch police alone instead of behavioral health responders, leading to unnecessary force against individuals with behavioral health disabilities.

The report documented instances of unjustified force being used against individuals who were handcuffed and accused of minor crimes. Officers frequently resorted to less-lethal force without attempting de-escalation, including shooting projectiles without evidence of an immediate threat. Delayed provision of medical aid and excessive force on incapacitated individuals were also highlighted.

The report cited specific cases where officers used neck and compression restraints, causing serious risk of injury or suffocation. Even when confronted about these tactics, officers defended their actions, displaying a concerning disregard for the wellbeing of individuals under their control.

The investigation concludes by stating that unconstitutional shootings could have been avoided if officers had not engaged in reckless tactics. The report brings to light systemic failures within the Phoenix police department and highlights the need for immediate and comprehensive reform to ensure the protection of civil rights and the fair treatment of all individuals in the community.