Morrison Institute for Public Policy Survey
Mesa Residents' Perceptions of the Mesa Police Department and Community Safety
Results of an independent survey conducted by Arizona State University’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy, reveal that Mesa residents feel safe, protected, and maintain positive relationships with their police department.
Read the Survey(PDF, 4MB)
Independent Officer Involved Shooting Investigations
On Monday, February 7, 2022, House Bill 2650, a legislative proposal, which mandates independent officer involved shooting investigations was presented to the Arizona House of Representatives Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee. The proposal has received bipartisan support and is described as one of the most significant reform initiatives to address police use of force in critical incidents.
The proposal was a collaborative effort, which has been ten months in the making and involved Arizona law enforcement agencies, including the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police, Arizona Sheriffs Association, and the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
The collaboration began as a discussion between law enforcement and various community groups, citizen advisory boards and residents who expressed a desire for increased objectivity, transparency, and accountability into the investigation of officer involved shootings.
The Morrison Institute of Public Policy commissioned a statewide survey asking residents their confidence level of police and their desire to have independent investigations of critical incidents. Overall, 60% of residents expressed confidence in the police, while at the same time a majority indicated they wanted independent officer involved shooting investigations.
Arizona law enforcement heard residents and assembled over seventy-five law enforcement leaders and subject matter experts who met every two weeks for ten months and developed a comprehensive, feasible and sustainable operational model that will ensure increased objectivity, transparency and accountability in officer involved shooting investigations. This work was validated by the House Committee who unanimously passed the bill 15-0.
This was a collaborative effort that included multiple agencies across the state and we are honored and privileged to work hand in hand with our community on this and other significant initiatives. We are committed to a lasting community partnership that promotes trust, respect and the preservation of human rights.