The department has not had a permanent police chief since Jeri Williams retired in the summer of 2022. Interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan was tapped for the position in September 2022, about a year after the U.S. Department of Justice launched an investigation into the department and city.

Officers "shall use only the force that is objectively reasonable, necessary and proportional to effectively and safely resolve an incident."

This week, the Phoenix Police Department adopted a new policy on use of force. It was part of the city’s pre-emptive push to avoid federal oversight after a yearslong civil rights review. And portions of the policy are more strict than standards set by Supreme Court precedent.

Phoenix police releases new guidelines for police use of force.

The Phoenix Police Department announced on Tuesday that it has implemented its new use of force policy, which has been years in the making. The purpose was to “clearly define” when officers should use force and what officers should do before,

Phoenix police officers have orders redefining when they may use violence or physical force. The policy taking effect is a win for interim Chief Michael Sullivan as union membership opposes his bid for the permanent role.

The chief of Phoenix police is discussing his department's new use of force policy. The "Zero Day" star and "Late Show" host Stephen Colbert let a haunting silence hang in the air for several seconds.