PHX Reporter

Rep. Matt Gress (R-Ariz.) has joined forces with his Arizona House Republican colleagues in a letter addressed to Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, urging her to reject any prospective consent decrees proposed by the Department of Justice (DOJ). This plea comes on the heels of a two-year DOJ investigation into the Phoenix police department.

In a statement underscoring the importance of state sovereignty, Rep. Gress asserted, "To preserve Arizona's sovereignty consistent with our state constitution, you must reject the DOJ's coercive consent decree."

The DOJ launched an investigation into the Phoenix Police Department and the City of Phoenix in 2021. The comprehensive probe aimed to "assess all types of use of force by PhxPD officers, including deadly force," according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs. The investigation also sought to determine whether there were instances of retaliatory activity against individuals for conduct protected by the First Amendment, discriminatory policing, or unlawful seizure or disposal of belongings belonging to homeless individuals.

On Monday, anticipating the results of this investigation, the group of legislators sent their letter to Mayor Gallego. They expressed concerns that a consent decree might be issued for the city—a legal order that would transfer control of the police department to the DOJ. According to an article from AZ Central, such a decree primarily aims to limit or halt use-of-force practices while fostering accountability within police departments and promoting long-term policy reform.

If Phoenix were to receive such a decree, federal monitors would be appointed to oversee progress on reforms within its police department. Conversely, if Phoenix were to decline this decree, it could result in legal battles and make Phoenix the largest city in America ever to reject a consent decree, as per AZ Central.

The lawmakers wrote in their letter: "As you know, the DOJ has used consent decrees to remove local control from police departments in metropolitan cities across the United States," according to a press release from the Arizona House of Representatives. They further argued that ceding local control of these crucial agencies to the federal government has had disastrous consequences for public safety and taxpayers. The lawmakers warned that considering a DOJ consent decree could lead to a significant exodus of police officers, especially at a time when Phoenix's police force is already severely understaffed.

Gress, who was elected in 2022 and took office in January, has previously served as a public school teacher, school board member, and faculty associate at Arizona State University. With a Masters in Public Administration, Gress is committed to "reducing the cost of living, increasing teacher pay, and reducing crime," according to Ballotpedia.