PHOENIX – Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich is being applauded for his recent offer to provide oversight of investigations into police shootings and excessive use-of-force cases. Brnovich made his offer in a letter to Governor Doug Ducey, Senate President Karen Fann, and Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers.
“We’re glad to see that the Attorney General has joined Senate Dems and @AZHouseDems in calling for substantial policy changes to address the need for police reform,” tweeted the Arizona State Senate Democrats.
We’re glad to see that the Attorney General has joined Senate Dems and @AZHouseDems in calling for substantial policy changes to address the need for police reform https://t.co/WEdeHhlp90
— Arizona Senate Dems (@AZSenateDems) June 4, 2020
“The time has come to ensure all law enforcement agencies have robust and regularly administered de-escalation training,” tweeted Brnovic. “Working together we can set a new standard for law enforcement training and honor the sincere concerns of the people we serve and advance the cause of justice.”
The time has come to ensure all law enforcement agencies have robust and regularly administered de-escalation training. Working together we can set a new standard for law enforcement training and honor the sincere concerns of the people we serve and advance the cause of justice. pic.twitter.com/P4e3kkMwaA
— Mark Brnovich (@GeneralBrnovich) June 4, 2020
According to KJZZ, “Brnovich offered his office as an overseer of those investigations, an arrangement the attorney general said is used in states like New York and California… In Arizona, that would require a change in state law.”
Brnovich wrote:
We have all watched the video of George Floyd with shocking outrage. As Arizona top law enforcement official, I hope Mr. Floyd’s death will not be in vain but will serve as a catalyst for positive performs.
Over the past several years the Attorney General’s Office has provided de-escalation and cultural diversity training for sworn agents. Although the Arizona Peace Officer Standards And Training Board offers training on these topics they are not mandated. The time has come to require all law enforcement agencies to have robust de-escalation training that is regularly administered. Let’s work together to set a new standard for Arizona’s law enforcement training.
In addition, it is imperative that we maintain public confidence in the investigations following officer-involved shootings and excessive use of force. Arizona should ensure a third-party oversees these matters. One option would be to designate the Attorney General to oversee these investigations as has been done in California and New York, and I would support that for Arizona. There are other viable options to consider.
Finally, Arizona should pursue additional outreach programs by law-enforcement to our communities, especially our younger generation. Whether it’s a “Know Your Rights” campaign, or classroom presentations, it is clear that more needs to be done. Our office has some compelling ideas on where Arizona should go from here, and we look forward to working with you to bring these programs to fruition.
Goodness can come from even the worst situations. Let’s honor the sincere concerns of people we serve and advance the cause of justice.Respectfully,
Mark Brnovich
The reason most states have not adopted similar efforts is due to the inherent conflict-of-interest many attorneys general offices have due to the fact that they prosecute the very cases police departments forward to them. In the case of Arizona, Brnovich has a double conflict-of-interest in that his office oversees the Arizona Peace Officer Standards And Training Board (AZPOST).
Prior to becoming Attorney General, Brnovich was Senior Director for the Corrections Corporation of America, the private prison company. From the Center for Media and Democracy:
According to statements of financial disclosure filed with the Office of the Arizona Secretary of State Division of Elections by Brnovich’s wife, former Maricopa County Superior Court Commissioner and current Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Susan Brnovich, Mark Brnovich served as a “senior director of business development” for CCA during the course of 2005, 2006 and 2007. CCA was not Brnovich’s sole source of employment during at least part of this time. He also worked as a federal prosecutor while working for or on behalf of CCA during part of this time, according to the financial disclosure forms of his wife.