Phoenix police pointed guns at minors over 1,500 times since 2021

An “Arizona Republic” analysis of police data found that Phoenix police pointed their guns at people more than 19,500 times between January 2021 and November 2024. At least 1,591 of those times, the person on the other end of the barrel was a minor between two and 17 years old. And more than 40% of the time, the minor was 15 years old or younger. It’s happened more frequently, too: From 2021 to 2023, the number of times Phoenix police reported pointing guns at minors more than doubled.

That surge came even as the agency was under intense scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice for how officers use force.

Sahana Jayaraman, a data reporter at “The Arizona Republic,” reported and wrote the investigation, and joined us to elaborate on the issue.

Jayaraman’s reporting focused on an incident involving the Dodd Family, who were hosting a birthday party at their South Mountain apartment.

After a noise complaint from the downstairs neighbours, police were called. The family said when the police arrived, they pointed guns at everyone present including children between the ages of two and 11.

“That incident wasn’t even in the police data,” Jayaraman said. “The police report makes no mention of weapons being drawn.”

The incident is now part of an ongoing lawsuit against the City of Phoenix.

Jayaraman said her reporting uncovered that Phoenix has no formal policy outlining when officers are allowed to point their firearms.

Cities like Glendale and Scottsdale also lack clear policies, while Chandler and Tucson have specific guidelines.

From January 2021 to November 2024, Phoenix officers pointed guns at people an average of 14 times a day, at least once daily at a minor.

“I just hope the stories of the people I spoke to stick with those who read them,” Jayaraman said.