February 26, 2020 / Modified feb 26, 2020 9:43 a.m.

Phoenix Council votes 5-4 for civilian oversight of police

The vote came after dozens of mostly Hispanic and African American community members spoke for a citizen review board with investigative powers.

downtown phoenix cars Cars driving with downtown Phoenix in the background
AZPM file

PHOENIX — Phoenix City Council members have voted 5-4 to approve a citizen review board with the power to investigate police after a raucous meeting that stretched over five hours into the evening.

The council has been examining different proposals for policing the police after Phoenix had more officer-involved shootings in 2018 than any other U.S. department. The proposals also came after the uproar over a videotaped encounter between officers and a black family whose young daughter took a doll from a dollar store.

The Tuesday vote came after dozens of mostly Hispanic and African American community members spoke for a citizen review board with investigative powers.

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