The Phoenix City Council voted 8-1 against a proposed citizen oversight board for the Phoenix Police Department Tuesday night. The board was proposed by a Phoenix resident following clashes between protesters and police officer during President Donald Trump's visit to Phoenix last month.
An official statement from the Phoenix City Council regarding the issue can be read here (pg. 41). In it, council members say City Manager Ed Zuercher's team is already researching a citizen board similar to the one proposed.
The statement also outlines several review boards currently in place for the Phoenix Police Department;
"Presently, the City of Phoenix has civilian oversight of the Department by the City Council through the City Manager; and through civilian participation on three bodies: Use of Force Board, Disciplinary Review Board, and the Civil Service Board. The Civil Service Board has the authority to overturn the chief on disciplinary matters."
Council members stated that they were going to vote against the measure at the beginning of Tuesday's meeting but still allowed 90 minutes of public comment.