Phoenix Copwatch Media
Phoenix Copwatch to Mayor: "Do Not Change Operations Order 1.4.3,"
December 16, 2007
Dear Mayor Phil Gordon:
Phoenix Copwatch, a grassroots organization that works to end police abuse, is very concerned about the proposed changes to Operations Order 1.4.3. This order should remain as it is currently written, keeping police officers from enquiring into the citizenship status of the suspects of minor crimes. If the order is expanded to allow officers to question the status of other subjects, it will inevitably lead to an increase in racial profiling.
Phoenix Copwatch does not want to see more departments continue the misguided policies of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. As the Arizona Republic recently reported, MCSO has been sued by a Mexican citizen who claims his legal rights under the U.S. Constitution were violated: while legally visiting the country he was detained for eight hours due to a sheriff’s deputy’s assertion that the man presented false documents. Meanwhile, the man’s white friend, and driver of the vehicle that the man was riding in, was not questioned about his citizenship status. This suit is surely the first of many more to come, should the Phoenix PD take on the task of enforcing immigration law.
Phoenix Copwatch is concerned about the clear pattern of racial profiling occurring during traffic stops by DPS officers. As reported by the Republic,a study conducted at the University of Cincinnati showed that people of color are more likely to be stopped and more likely to be searched by DPS officers. A similar pattern may be occurring in this city, and Phoenix officers certainly do not need another excuse to stop people for “Driving While Brown.”
Numerous studies have shown that the greater the “social distance” between an officer and his/her subjects, the more likely it is that profiling and abuse will occur. One can easily see this divide between a police force that is 78% Anglo and the 42% of residents who are Hispanic, many of whom are not native English speakers. This creates a situation that is ripe for widespread racial profiling if Operations Order 1.4.3 is changed. English-speaking white officers are much less likely to ask for proof of citizenship from people who look and talk like themselves.
We ask the panel to consider the serious consequences, for Phoenix residents and the police department, if Operations Order 1.4.3 is not kept in place. As mentioned above, the rights of people of color will be repeatedly violated should the PD enforce a change that systemically will require them to racially profile individuals. Do not cave in to the voices of racism and intolerance. Keep a policy in place that was initially implemented by a citizen task force with the explicit desire to keep these things from happening.
Sincerely,
Phoenix Copwatch