Episode Details

The killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer who knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes has brought police practices and accountability to the forefront of American discourse. In cities across the nation, protesters have taken to the streets, demanding justice and change. Phoenix is no different.

This week The Gaggle: An Arizona politics podcast, is examining two solutions proposed to address police brutality, profiling and other practices being scrutinized as unjust. These include civilian oversight and "defunding the police."

Related: Every 5 days, an Arizona officer shoots someone, a Republic analysis finds

In June, the Phoenix City Council approved spending $3 million of its $1.3 billion budget for a new Office of Accountability and Transparency that will focus on police oversight. Hosts Yvonne Wingett Sanchez and Ronald J. Hansen explore the function of the new office with reporters Jessica Boehm and Uriel Garcia. 

Plus, an explanation on what "defunding the police" means and how likely the proposal is to pass muster among Phoenix constituents and city council members. 

Read more:

• Phoenix police will stop using strangleholds on people, chief says
• Police officers are rarely prosecuted or convicted in Arizona. Here are some of the hurdles
• Phoenix protesters demand more police oversight from City Council
• Sheriff: Hispanic, black drivers more likely to be held longer in traffic stops than white drivers
• Phoenix approves budget with fully-funded police civilian oversight office

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