Phoenix City Council previously passed a budget with partial funding for the newly created Office of Accountability and Transparency (OAT) but, the community challenged the council to fully fund OAT in this year’s budget. The Phoenix City Council responded to the community’s request for greater accountability. By a bipartisan 7-2 vote, the council fully funded civilian oversight of the Phoenix Police Department.
Throughout 2020 Phoenix City Council has been faced with unprecedented challenges, and have been working to find ways to come together on important issues. The council had a robust conversation on what the future of policing in the City of Phoenix looks like. Important improvements have included ensuring all front-line officers have body cameras, and bringing more transparency into police operations and data.
“It is imperative we build a community where every individual feels safe.” stated Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego in a statement released today. “Our work neither begins nor ends today. We know Phoenicians are watching what this council does, and we know the conversation our nation is having right now is many hundreds of years overdue. This dialogue should not end. It needs to go deeper and reach even more individuals. Change must continue.”
For details on the City of Phoenix budget, click here.
