Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said he plans to lead an effort that would create a task force made up of different police agencies to investigate police shootings and other fatal use-of-force cases an effort that drew immediate backlash.
Penzone said Wednesday the task force would help create a level of transparency in the investigative process and build trust among community members.
Part of the criticism from family members who have had an officer kill their loved one in a shooting or during an arrest is that the agency often conducts its own administrative and criminal investigations.
But soon after presenting his idea, Penzone, a Democrat, was criticized by criminal justice advocates, lawmakers and at least one law enforcement official for helping to derail