The Phoenix Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 2 could not be more disappointed in the U.S. Department of Justice and its so-called “pattern and practice investigation” into the Phoenix Police Department. The investigative summary released by the DOJ today is full of half-truths, unsubstantiated accusations, and haphazard, illogical conclusions.

Despite this investigation taking years and costing millions of dollars, the PPD and the City of Phoenix have cooperated to a greater extent than any City subject to such a federal witch hunt. It comes as no surprise that the DOJ’s preordained conclusion looks exactly like the paper-thin “investigations” we have seen in more than 20 cities across the U.S. over the past 16 years.

The officers of the Phoenix Police Department – and the taxpayers of this great City – deserve better than a police department controlled by the DOJ, a federal judge, and a consultant team that spends money like water. Put simply, the actions of the DOJ will do nothing to make a single Phoenix resident safer, meanwhile extracting millions of dollars more from the City. That money would have been better on more cops and training, rather than more pencil pushers and ivory tower academics.

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Lou Manganiello

President Phoenix Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 2