Phoenix Residents, Leaders Rally Behind Michael Johnson Incident During City Council Meeting, News Conference
Past Two Days Spark Range of Emotions for Many Who Are Concerned about Police Harassment
Submitted by DaVaun Sanders
Growing frustration is resounding through downtown Phoenix as city officials grasp for an adequate response to Councilman Michael Johnson's blatant mistreatment at the hands of a Phoenix police officer. In a City Council meeting hastily convened by Mayor Phil Gordon on Monday and a press conference by Councilman Johnson earlier today, the proceedings failed to escape an easily predictable formula. City officials philandered promises of action via committee, typically followed by the polite resentment of community leaders. Despite these painfully political displays of action and carefully moderated outrage, an undercurrent of anger and resentment consistently breached the formality of these past two days.
On March 19, Councilman Johnson was allegedly thrown to the ground and handcuffed in the street by Phoenix Police officer Brian Authement. The incident was spurred by a house fire down the street from Johnson's residence. The Councilman stated he obtained permission from firefighters on the scene to help his neighbor, the victim of the fire, before his encounter with Officer Authement. Councilman Johnson is a retired detective, while Authement has been on the force for two years.
A notable lack of quorum set the tone for Monday's City Council meeting. Mayor Phil Gordon opened the meeting before acceding to Public Safety Manager Jack Harris for a briefing on the city's response to the “public safety incident.” Harris emphasized that city officials contacted the FBI to “ensure we are doing everything humanly possible” to complete the review.
“I am concerned about the perception on the south side of our community that minorities (there) are not treated the same as whites,” Harris stated. He also advised the packed Council Chambers of an impending task force headed by Assistant Chief Jeri Williams to look at broader systemic issues, so that “members of the Phoenix PD treat everyone with respect, dignity, and professionalism.”
Bishop Henry Barnwell was asked to lead prayer during Monday's meeting, and his sentiments brought a ripple of agreeing nods from several seated members of the community. “We don't need an ad-hoc committee to deal with this, we need leadership to deal with this,” he said. “I plead with the council that you would take this seriously.”
Councilman Johnson provided some levity for the situation at the press conference earlier today, citing concern for his neighbor whose house burned down. He stated his ongoing support for the police department, although he admitted, “I can't express how hurt I feel ... after being thrown to the ground by someone younger than my own children.”
Councilman Johnson expressed his suspicions about the officer's flagrant behavior.
“I don't know if it was racially motivated,” he said. “I would like to give the officer the benefit of the doubt.”
Yet he also took into consideration Authement's recent service in Iraq.
“That may have possibly had something to do with what (the officer) perceived to be (a threat),” Johnson said. He proposed additional training for officers in the 400 Precinct to combat an “embedded culture,” where “excessive use of force,” unwarranted citations, “verbal abuse, and use of racial slurs” are symptomatic.
Several community leaders took to the podium during the city council meeting and today's press conference, but their calls for action were often diluted with careful statements about “not wanting to tarnish the Phoenix Police Department,” “the one bad apple,” or “seeing Phoenix police as nothing but first class.” Yet unscripted anger from less publicly prominent citizens erupted at each event.
Though the outcries were frequently quieted, those voices of everyday residents still beg the question of whether swift action will take place to address police brutality in Phoenix.
“Unfortunately our community is more of a reactive than proactive community. With that being said, we have something that has motivated us,” observed Rhoshawndra Carnes, a Phoenix resident on hand for the conference. “We respect the fact that police officers put their lives on the line every day, we don't take that lightly. However the situation that has happened to Councilman Johnson and many others is now coming to light. This gives the city of Phoenix Police Department the opportunity to make some changes ... and hopefully gain the trust of the community members they are supposed to serve.”
The perception is that the little people don't have any power,” said Abraham James, another resident. “If I had been cuffed and arrested last Friday, I don't think this crowd would be there for me ... because it was (Councilman Michael Johnson), hopefully there will be more circumstances and opportunities for the people that have gone through this for years.
“Police abuse should not go on in our community, especially in this day and age.”
While the dialogue continues, and the task force makes its recommendations, one fact holds true.
Officer Brian Authement remains on paid administrative leave.
Despite the careful rhetoric from officials and community leaders, one voice in particular provided a consistent demand for a firm response to the incident. “I ask that this man be removed from his job immediately,” Representative Cloves Campbell, Jr. stated. “This abuse of power breeds.”
If the City of Phoenix is committed to proving that racial disparity does not exist for our citizens, officials and the mayor may want to take heed of the Representatives words. The opportunity for growth in our community is undoubtedly present at this juncture, but anger and apathy will also breed in the presence of inaction.
PhxSoul.com will continue to follow this story as developments arise. Please continue to stay tuned to our Councilman Michael Johnson section for the latest news regarding the investigations regarding his claims of harassment and mistreatment by the Phoenix Police Department.
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