Phoenix Police Department | |
---|---|
Abbreviation | PHXPD |
Motto | To Ensure the Safety and Security for Each Person in our Community |
Agency overview | |
Formed | 1881 |
Preceding agency |
|
Annual budget | $721 m (2020) [1] |
Jurisdictional structure | |
Operations jurisdiction | Phoenix, Arizona, US |
Map of Phoenix Police Department's jurisdiction | |
Size | 516 sq mi (1,340 km2). |
Population | 1.6 million [2] |
Legal jurisdiction | City of Phoenix |
General nature | |
Operational structure | |
Officers | Around 2,775 [3] [4] |
Elected officer responsible | |
Agency executives |
|
Divisions | 6
|
Bureaus | 23
|
Facilities | |
Precincts | 8
|
Airbases | Deer Valley Airport |
Helicopters | 9 |
Airplanes | 3 |
Website | |
phoenix |
The Phoenix Police Department is the law enforcement agency responsible for the city of Phoenix, Arizona. As of October 2021, the Phoenix Police Department comprises just under 2,800 officers, some 350 below authorized strength of 3,125 [3] [4] and more than 1,000 support personnel. The department serves a population of more than 1.6 million [2] and patrol almost 516 square miles (1,340 km2) [2] of the fifth largest city in the United States. Phoenix has one of the highest rates of police killings in the United States. [5]
Phoenix was incorporated as a city on February 5, 1881. Law enforcement was handled by Phoenix city marshals and later by Phoenix police officers. Henry Garfias, the first city marshal, was elected by residents in 1881 in the first elections of the newly incorporated city. For six years, he served as the primary law enforcement officer.
In the early 1900s, the Phoenix Police Department used Old Nelly, the horse, to pull the patrol wagon for officers. Most patrolling, however, was done on foot. The city at this time was only 3.1 square miles (8.0 km2) with a population of 11,134 people. Call boxes were used to notify an officer that headquarters wanted him. These were supplemented by a system of horns and flashing lights.
The first death of a Phoenix police officer in the line of duty in Phoenix occurred on February 5, 1925. [6] Officer Haze Burch was shot and killed by two brothers on the run from authorities. The men were later arrested when they were found hiding at the Tempe Buttes. [6]
In 1929, patrolmen worked six days a week and were paid $100 a month. The police department moved into the west section of the new city-county building at 17 South 2nd Avenue. [7] The building included jail cells on the top two floors. In 1933, Ruth Meicher joined the police department as the first female jail matron. The city at this time was only 6.4 square miles (17 km2), with a population of 48,200. In the year prior, the first police radio system in Arizona was installed for the department with the call letters KGZJ. [7]
The department reorganized in 1950 with four divisions, Traffic, Detectives, Patrol and Service Divisions. [7] Officers worked 44 hours per week for $288 per month. In 1974, the Air patrol unit was established initially consisting of one helicopter. A few months later, a fixed wing aircraft and two additional helicopters were added. [7]
In 2008, the department formed the Block Watch program, which is a partnership between citizens and the police department to help deter youth from crime. The department also runs a similar program under the name G.A.I.N. which stands for Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods. [8]
Phoenix police officers shot at least 41 people in 2018, the highest number in the department's history and the highest number of any U.S. city that year, killing at least 19 people. Of those shot, demographically, Native Americans were the most over-represented group for their population size, while Hispanics—who comprise 43 percent of the city's population—were shot most often overall. [9] [10] [11]
In 2018, the city budget allocated funding for 3,125 officers, but as of June 2020 the department had just under 3,000 officers, of whom more than 1,000 were eligible to retire. [12] As of 2020, the PPD received more than 40 percent of funds allocated in the city's general fund budget. [12]
As of 2020, Phoenix has one of the highest rates of police killings in the United States. [5] Civil rights leaders and community activists have argued that the city's police officers are rarely held accountable for escalating encounters, attacks on residents, using lethal force without considering other options, and making false statements. [5] [13]
On August 5, 2021, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced an investigation into the Phoenix Police Department and the City of Phoenix. [14]
The Phoenix Police Department is divided into six divisions: Community and Support Services, Investigations, Management Services, Patrol, Reserve, Strategic and Tactical Services. [34]
In 2016, Jeri L. Williams was appointed as the Phoenix Police Chief. While she grew up in Phoenix, she spent time leading the Oxnard Police Department in California, where she pushed the use of body cameras. [35] During her time as chief, she led Executive Assistant Chief Michael Kurtenbach, Assistant Chief Sean Patrick Connolly, Assistant Chief Steve Martos, Assistant Director Jesse W. Cooper, and Reserve Assistance Chief Finical. [35] Chief Williams and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego agreed to participate fully with and cooperate completely with an investigation by the Department of Justice into the Phoenix Police Department starting in August 2021. [32] Tensions between Phoenix Police Department and the public have risen over the years as citizens feel that civil rights have been breached by Phoenix Police officers. [25]
This section has an unclear
citation style. (July 2020) |
The Phoenix Police Department Patrol Division is organized into seven precincts:
This section needs additional citations for
verification. (February 2021) |
Title | Insignia[ failed verification] |
---|---|
Chief of Police | |
Executive Assistant Chief | |
Assistant Chief | |
Commander | |
Lieutenant | |
Sergeant | |
Police Officer |
The position of Executive Assistant Chief is considered second-in-command of the department. The collar rank insignia is indistinguishable from other Assistant Chiefs. However, the title "Executive Assistant Chief" is inscribed in the title scroll on the top of the breast badge to indicate the position.
After ten years in the rank of Sergeant, employees are authorized to add one rocker to the bottom of the sergeant stripes. After fifteen years in rank, two rockers are authorized and after twenty years in the rank of sergeant, three rockers are authorized to be added to the sergeant stripes. There is no associated elevation in actual rank, and no additional pay, as these extra rockers are optional and only meant to distinguish time in the grade and are not a promotion.
The Phoenix Police Department also uses shoulder patches to denote the positions of Sergeant-in-Training and Field Training Officer, although these are not official supervisory ranks.
Title | Insignia |
---|---|
Sergeant-in-Training | |
Field Training Officer |
The Phoenix Police Department uses Ford Crown Victorias and Chevrolet Impalas for the newer cruisers, Chevrolet Tahoes for their SUVs, and Honda ST1300P Motorcycles, Kawasaki 1000 Motorcycles, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
The department uses three AgustaWestland A119 helicopters. They also fly five Eurocopter AS350 B3's and an AgustaWestland A109 Power for rescues.
The department also uses a Pilatus PC-12. This aircraft is intended for surveillance, but also serves as a transport. [38] Additionally, the Air Support Unit has three Cessna aircraft; one 1978 182Q, one 1981 172P and a P210R. [39]
Phoenix Police officers will typically be armed with a Glock pistol usually in either .40 S&W or 9mm. The Glock 21 .45 ACP is also authorized. [40]
Phoenix Police Department | |
---|---|
Abbreviation | PHXPD |
Motto | To Ensure the Safety and Security for Each Person in our Community |
Agency overview | |
Formed | 1881 |
Preceding agency |
|
Annual budget | $721 m (2020) [1] |
Jurisdictional structure | |
Operations jurisdiction | Phoenix, Arizona, US |
Map of Phoenix Police Department's jurisdiction | |
Size | 516 sq mi (1,340 km2). |
Population | 1.6 million [2] |
Legal jurisdiction | City of Phoenix |
General nature | |
Operational structure | |
Officers | Around 2,775 [3] [4] |
Elected officer responsible | |
Agency executives |
|
Divisions | 6
|
Bureaus | 23
|
Facilities | |
Precincts | 8
|
Airbases | Deer Valley Airport |
Helicopters | 9 |
Airplanes | 3 |
Website | |
phoenix |
The Phoenix Police Department is the law enforcement agency responsible for the city of Phoenix, Arizona. As of October 2021, the Phoenix Police Department comprises just under 2,800 officers, some 350 below authorized strength of 3,125 [3] [4] and more than 1,000 support personnel. The department serves a population of more than 1.6 million [2] and patrol almost 516 square miles (1,340 km2) [2] of the fifth largest city in the United States. Phoenix has one of the highest rates of police killings in the United States. [5]
Phoenix was incorporated as a city on February 5, 1881. Law enforcement was handled by Phoenix city marshals and later by Phoenix police officers. Henry Garfias, the first city marshal, was elected by residents in 1881 in the first elections of the newly incorporated city. For six years, he served as the primary law enforcement officer.
In the early 1900s, the Phoenix Police Department used Old Nelly, the horse, to pull the patrol wagon for officers. Most patrolling, however, was done on foot. The city at this time was only 3.1 square miles (8.0 km2) with a population of 11,134 people. Call boxes were used to notify an officer that headquarters wanted him. These were supplemented by a system of horns and flashing lights.
The first death of a Phoenix police officer in the line of duty in Phoenix occurred on February 5, 1925. [6] Officer Haze Burch was shot and killed by two brothers on the run from authorities. The men were later arrested when they were found hiding at the Tempe Buttes. [6]
In 1929, patrolmen worked six days a week and were paid $100 a month. The police department moved into the west section of the new city-county building at 17 South 2nd Avenue. [7] The building included jail cells on the top two floors. In 1933, Ruth Meicher joined the police department as the first female jail matron. The city at this time was only 6.4 square miles (17 km2), with a population of 48,200. In the year prior, the first police radio system in Arizona was installed for the department with the call letters KGZJ. [7]
The department reorganized in 1950 with four divisions, Traffic, Detectives, Patrol and Service Divisions. [7] Officers worked 44 hours per week for $288 per month. In 1974, the Air patrol unit was established initially consisting of one helicopter. A few months later, a fixed wing aircraft and two additional helicopters were added. [7]
In 2008, the department formed the Block Watch program, which is a partnership between citizens and the police department to help deter youth from crime. The department also runs a similar program under the name G.A.I.N. which stands for Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods. [8]
Phoenix police officers shot at least 41 people in 2018, the highest number in the department's history and the highest number of any U.S. city that year, killing at least 19 people. Of those shot, demographically, Native Americans were the most over-represented group for their population size, while Hispanics—who comprise 43 percent of the city's population—were shot most often overall. [9] [10] [11]
In 2018, the city budget allocated funding for 3,125 officers, but as of June 2020 the department had just under 3,000 officers, of whom more than 1,000 were eligible to retire. [12] As of 2020, the PPD received more than 40 percent of funds allocated in the city's general fund budget. [12]
As of 2020, Phoenix has one of the highest rates of police killings in the United States. [5] Civil rights leaders and community activists have argued that the city's police officers are rarely held accountable for escalating encounters, attacks on residents, using lethal force without considering other options, and making false statements. [5] [13]
On August 5, 2021, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced an investigation into the Phoenix Police Department and the City of Phoenix. [14]
The Phoenix Police Department is divided into six divisions: Community and Support Services, Investigations, Management Services, Patrol, Reserve, Strategic and Tactical Services. [34]
In 2016, Jeri L. Williams was appointed as the Phoenix Police Chief. While she grew up in Phoenix, she spent time leading the Oxnard Police Department in California, where she pushed the use of body cameras. [35] During her time as chief, she led Executive Assistant Chief Michael Kurtenbach, Assistant Chief Sean Patrick Connolly, Assistant Chief Steve Martos, Assistant Director Jesse W. Cooper, and Reserve Assistance Chief Finical. [35] Chief Williams and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego agreed to participate fully with and cooperate completely with an investigation by the Department of Justice into the Phoenix Police Department starting in August 2021. [32] Tensions between Phoenix Police Department and the public have risen over the years as citizens feel that civil rights have been breached by Phoenix Police officers. [25]
This section has an unclear
citation style. (July 2020) |
The Phoenix Police Department Patrol Division is organized into seven precincts:
This section needs additional citations for
verification. (February 2021) |
Title | Insignia[ failed verification] |
---|---|
Chief of Police | |
Executive Assistant Chief | |
Assistant Chief | |
Commander | |
Lieutenant | |
Sergeant | |
Police Officer |
The position of Executive Assistant Chief is considered second-in-command of the department. The collar rank insignia is indistinguishable from other Assistant Chiefs. However, the title "Executive Assistant Chief" is inscribed in the title scroll on the top of the breast badge to indicate the position.
After ten years in the rank of Sergeant, employees are authorized to add one rocker to the bottom of the sergeant stripes. After fifteen years in rank, two rockers are authorized and after twenty years in the rank of sergeant, three rockers are authorized to be added to the sergeant stripes. There is no associated elevation in actual rank, and no additional pay, as these extra rockers are optional and only meant to distinguish time in the grade and are not a promotion.
The Phoenix Police Department also uses shoulder patches to denote the positions of Sergeant-in-Training and Field Training Officer, although these are not official supervisory ranks.
Title | Insignia |
---|---|
Sergeant-in-Training | |
Field Training Officer |
The Phoenix Police Department uses Ford Crown Victorias and Chevrolet Impalas for the newer cruisers, Chevrolet Tahoes for their SUVs, and Honda ST1300P Motorcycles, Kawasaki 1000 Motorcycles, and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
The department uses three AgustaWestland A119 helicopters. They also fly five Eurocopter AS350 B3's and an AgustaWestland A109 Power for rescues.
The department also uses a Pilatus PC-12. This aircraft is intended for surveillance, but also serves as a transport. [38] Additionally, the Air Support Unit has three Cessna aircraft; one 1978 182Q, one 1981 172P and a P210R. [39]
Phoenix Police officers will typically be armed with a Glock pistol usually in either .40 S&W or 9mm. The Glock 21 .45 ACP is also authorized. [40]