City of Phoenix Advances Public Safety and Accountability Improvements

PHOENIX – In a continued commitment to transparency and community trust, the City of Phoenix today updated the Mayor and City Council on sweeping public safety improvements, reporting significant progress on 37 Council-approved action items.  

One year into this process, nearly 70 percent of those items are now complete with the remaining now in progress. 

Representatives from the Phoenix Police Department, Office of Homeless Solutions (OHS), Community Assistance Program (CAP) and the Office of Accountability and Transparency (OAT) provided updates to the Mayor and Council on the City’s efforts to address homelessness, increase accountability and transparency, and improve public safety.  

Key Progress Highlights

• Updated Use of Force Policy: After extensive public engagement, the Phoenix Police Department implemented its new Use of Force Policy in February. The new policy clearly defines when it is permissible for officers to use force, and an officer’s duties before, during, and after a force encounter.
• Modernized Data Collection: The Police Department just launched a new records management system (Motorola P1 RMS), enabling more detailed tracking of police enforcement activities, including demographic and housing status data of individuals the police contact. 
• Oversight and Accountability: A new Field Investigations Unit is now operational, with dedicated Investigations Sergeants handling administrative misconduct investigations for patrol operations. The Performance Compliance Team now includes professional staff and will begin auditing police practices in early 2026.
• Community Engagement: The Blockwise survey platform launched in summer 2025 to gather monthly feedback on public safety from residents. Initial results will be shared in December 2025. 
• Youth and Vulnerable Populations: Over 2,270 youth surveys were collected to inform a new Youth Interactions Policy, which will be released for public comment in the coming weeks. A draft policy for interactions with individuals experiencing homelessness is also nearing completion.
• Behavioral Health Response: The Fire Department’s Community Assistance Program (CAP) now provides 24/7 dispatch coverage. The police department provided additional training to staff on use of resources such as CAP, Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT), and third-party mobile teams to improve behavioral health response citywide.  
• Complaint Intake and Transparency: The City has procured a centralized complaint intake system which will streamline data collection and analysis. Launch of this program is anticipated later this month. Meanwhile, 311 staff have been trained to direct residents to appropriate complaint and commendation channels.
• Training and Policy Updates: Officers have received updated training on use of force, constitutional law, and crisis intervention. Several major policy revisions are underway, including those related to First Amendment activity. 

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Police Chief Vision 

The presentation was the first time newly sworn-in Phoenix Police Chief Matt Giordano appeared before a Council meeting. He used the opportunity to outline a leadership vision rooted in the department’s long-standing core values, known as PRIDE:

• Protection & Prevention 
• Responsibility & Respect
• Integrity & Ideals 
• Dedication to Duty
• Employee Excellence 

These values, he emphasized, are not only taught in the academy but are continuously reinforced throughout an officer’s career. “PRIDE is the foundation of who we are and how we serve,” said Chief Giordano. “It shapes our culture, our conduct, and our commitment to the people of Phoenix.”

Looking ahead, Chief Giordano introduced a new leadership framework called LEAD: 

• Lead at every level
• Engage with community and employees 
• Accountability at all levels
• Dedication to our mission.  

“PRIDE is our foundation, and LEAD is how we will move forward,” said Chief Giordano. “We are building a future that reflects our shared values and strengthens public trust through transparency, engagement, and continuous improvement. Our goal is simple: a safer Phoenix where every resident feels respected and every officer is proud to serve.”

Looking Ahead 

The City of Phoenix continues to implement improvements, and Chief Giordano will launch his department’s strategic plan. The City and its police department remain focused on building a safer, more accountable future for all residents. 

Additional updates will be provided during the next quarterly report in December 2025, including survey results, policy launches, and progress on key reform initiatives.