Earlier this week, multiple City of Phoenix departments presented updates on public safety enhancements adopted by the Mayor and Phoenix City Council in September 2024. The updates, provided on a quarterly basis, demonstrate the City's commitment to transparency and collaboration with elected leaders.
The presentation marked Interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan’s final policy session before his previously announced departure. In a brief moment of reflection, he addressed the Council.
“Under my leadership, this Department focused on reducing crime, building community trust, and continuous improvement,” Sullivan said. “There is no question—I’m leaving this Department in a better place than when I arrived.”
Continued Community Engagement
Community involvement continues to be an integral component in shaping key policies for Phoenix Police. Since early 2024, all major policy changes have included public comment periods. The Department is currently gathering feedback from youth through a citywide Youth Interactions Survey. Insights from this outreach will inform the forthcoming Youth Interactions Policy, expected to be released for public review later this summer or early fall.
In the coming months, the public will also be invited to review and provide input on:
- A draft Police Canine Policy
- A new Interactions with Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Policy
Completed Police Initiatives
Updates presented at the April 2025 session included several completed items since the last update provided during the December 2024 Policy Session. These projects include:
Smart Notifications System: Allows residents to share key information with first responders (e.g. mental health concerns, cognitive issues, communications needs)
Professional Standards Bureau (PSB) Manual Revisions:
- Standards for thoroughness of investigations
- Inclusion of consideration of de-escalation strategies
- Review of all aspects of the incident
- Providing written response to complainant
- Explanation of downward deviation from Disciplinary Review Board recommendations, with City Manager approval
- Forwarding ‘Brady’ materials to Maricopa County Attorney’s Office within 15 days
- Establishing review standards and deadlines for investigations
- Providing a thorough and complete rationale for findings and conclusions
In-Progress Police Initiatives
Soon-to-be Acting Chief Dennis Orender outlined action on several in-progress efforts and goals for when these projects will be finalized.
- Inspections Lieutenant and three Sergeants are now in place with the remainder to be in place by June.
- Creating a dedicated hotline for reporting police misconduct using 311 technology.
- Cultural competency training regarding Native American community members launched in recruit classes.
- Biennial training plan for CIT officers developed.
- Staff and train the Critical Incident Response team (CIRT) which reviews uses of force in critical incidents.
- Draft public-facing canine policy.
- Create training for and finalize First Amendment Facilitation and Management Policy.
Upcoming Police Improvements
Future action items around new technologies, additional policy updates, and furthering accountability efforts including:
- Explore additional services provided by civilian staff to free up sworn officers to do work that requires sworn personnel.
- Create policies in relation to interactions, use of force, consensual contacts, and interviews and interrogations with vulnerable persons.
- Draft “Interactions with Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Policy”
- Draft policies related to systems of accountability.
Office of Homeless Solutions Initiative Progress
Office of Homeless Solutions Director Rachel Milne shared successes over the last three years in providing services to those experiencing homelessness.
- Added more than 1,500 new shelter beds.
- Opening of the Safe Outdoor Space and the Phoenix Navigation Center.
- 215 bins stored and 23 bins reunited with owners using the property storage program.
- Partnering with the Phoenix Police Department to develop relevant training.
Community Assistance Program (CAP) Initiative Progress
CAP Administrator D.C. Ernst shared with the Council advancements in supporting community members with mental and behavior health care needs.
- Currently six Behavioral Health Units and six Crisis Response Units are in service.
- CAP has now filled 80% of available positions.
- Achieved goal of providing 24-7 coverage to the City by March 31, 2025.
- Calls transferred from Police Department dispatchers to CAP have increased 142% in January and February 2025, compared to the same months in the prior year.
- Behavioral Health Unit response time in February 2025 was 24 minutes on average.
- Crisis Response Unit response time in February 2025 was 23 minutes on average.
Office of Accountability and Transparency (OAT) Initiative Progress
Shannon Johanni was recently named permanent director of the Office of Accountability and Transparency after serving in an interim capacity. She highlighted progress on the Council directives for her department.
- Revised Memorandum of Agreement with the Police Department.
- Currently reviewing 138 police administrative investigations and released 22 reports.
- Seated nine members of the Civilian Review Board (CRB) and provided training. The CRB will begin hearing its first cases in May.
- Worked with Police Department to create centralized hotline for complaints and commendations.
Watch the Full Presentation: City of Phoenix YouTube Channel
