Phoenix Law Enforcement Association

Background: Many cities and towns have long recognized the benefits of a cooperative working relationship between labor and management. Over the years, they have extended meet and confer negotiation rights to public employees including police. While many public safety agencies have benefited from a productive partnership between employers and employees, other agencies have not. Currently, many cities, counties, and the state does not allow public safety employees the fundamental right to negotiate with their employers. History shows that denying workers the right to negotiate causes poor morale, the waste of resources, unfair and inadequate working conditions, and low productivity. Ultimately, it is the public’s safety and security that is jeopardized by such poor working conditions for police. 

Background: Recently there has been discussion of eliminating “Qualified Immunity” for police officers. Police officers, like many governmental officials, have out of necessity been covered by some form of immunity to be able to perform the duties and responsibilities of government without undue and significate risk of personal liability. Police officers do not have total immunity like other governmental officials such as judges and prosecutors. Qualified immunity essentially means that if the officer is acting in good faith, then they are generally immune from personal liability. However, if they violate the law, they are not protected from prosecution or civil liability. 

Background: There have been calls for “Defunding the Police”. These calls have been from the extreme point of total elimination of the police to reducing police department budgets and manpower. Part of the discussion has led to shifting police budget resources to other social programs to handle “nonviolent” situations such as homelessness and mental health calls.

Background: Throughout the state, many agencies lack coherent guidelines and procedures to protect an officer’s right to due process. Sworn law enforcement officers are held to an extremely high standard of personal and professional conduct due to the enormous responsibilities they exercise. For example, a police officer who is forced to use deadly force in the protection of the community is immediately the subject of criminal and administrative investigations. However, many officers are denied basic due process rights that other officers enjoy. Sometimes, officers are subjected to false accusations by criminals who attempt to deflect accountability for their own actions. In addition, some individuals are reluctant to file a complaint against an officer, perceiving correctly or incorrectly that agencies will not take the complaint seriously and conduct an inquiry. Often departments lack any guidelines and procedures for handling and investigating complaints, thus raising doubts about officer accountability. Arizona Revised Statute 38-1100 thru 38-1141 provides due process rights for police, correction, and probation officers in the State of Arizona as well as outline protocols for investigations of officers.

Background: Public Safety occupations are dangerous and unique. In recognition of that fact, public safety pensions are unique as well. They recognize the inherent dangers above and beyond the risk of physical injury. Events related to enormous and prolonged stress result in numerous health issues such as heart disease, high blood pressure, suicide, and cancers which lead to adverse quality of life issues or even early deaths. For decades public safety pension benefits have been protected from diminishment by the Arizona State Constitution. Additionally, pensions were a driving factor in recruitment of potential candidates for police service. They also served as an incentive to retain police officers as they progressed through very challenging careers. Recently, public safety pension benefits were significantly reduced for newly hired officers. Considering the current public war on police in many areas of the country it has become increasingly difficult to recruit members of the community for police service.