An investigation by the Arizona Republic finds that Phoenix police officers pointed guns at nearly 1,600 children between ages 2 and 17 from January 2021 to November 2022. This alarming statistic is part of a broader report showing officers pointed their weapons at individuals over 19,000 times during the same period, highlighting ongoing scrutiny of the department’s use of force policies from federal authorities.
Data journalist Sahana Jayaraman conducted the investigation alongside expert analysis, raising concerns about the accuracy and completeness of police data. Notably, the Phoenix Police Department lacks a specific policy outlining when it is appropriate to point a gun at someone, which has led to critical questions about accountability and safety for minors caught in these high-stress situations.
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