phoenix police department special assignments unit

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Phoenix police department deploys four-legged robot ‘spot’ to special assignments unit.

Staff Reports | Digital Free Press

The Phoenix Police Department recently purchased a four-legged, agile mobile robot coined, ‘Spot’ officials there say will be used as a new tool for the special assignments unit. “We have lots of different pieces of technology,” said SAU Sergeant Marcus Allen, in a prepared statement .

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“Each one of them is very good at something, but not necessarily good at everything. When we started to look at the gaps that we had in some of our technology and some things that we needed to be able to overcome, the robot dog was one of the things that kept rising to the top.”

The Phoenix Police Department is the first agency in the Valley to purchase a robot dog, but other major cities around the country and federal agencies have already deployed this tool. The special assignments unit is a tactical unit that has a variety of capabilities including high-risk apprehensions, high-risk search warrants, hostage rescue and barricades, Phoenix police officials say. Phoenix police officials report Spot comes with preprogramed capabilities including identifying types of door handles and how to open them, but the dog is operated by a trained officer in the special vehicles detail. “SAU is always looking to innovate, always looking for ways to advance our technology, always looking for ways to, get better at what we do, whether it be digital technology or vehicle safety or any other aspect,” Sgt. Allen said. Looking forward, SAU hopes to add some additional features to the dog. Spot can be equipped with radiation detection. The dog can be sent into an area with hazardous conditions and feedback information about what contaminant is in the air. Another feature the unit is looking into for the future is its mesh technology. It has the ability to boost the communications among the team if they are in an area where cellphones and/or radios are not working.

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Phoenix Police Department Incorporates Robotic Dog Spot into Special Assignments Unit

The Phoenix Police Department has taken a step towards modernizing its force with a new, non-human recruit – Spot, the robot dog. This mechanical canine has been designated to the department's Special Assignments Unit (SAU) to aid in solving various tactical situations such as high-risk apprehensions and hostage crises. Spot offers Phoenix's finest abilities beyond human capabilities, its design modeled after a dog, able to navigate challenging terrains and perform sophisticated tasks, as seen in a press release .

With the integration of this agile tool, the SAU broadens its technological arsenal. In particular, Spot can handle complex movements like opening doors and climbing stairs that are beyond the abilities of other equipment in the unit's roster. Optics are key, and thus, this tech-savvy pup comes armed with multiple cameras providing live feedback to officers who, though are trained in using the tool, rely on its self-righting and anti-collision features to navigate obstacles it encounters. SAU Sergeant Marcus Allen emphasized the need for such a device, telling phoenix.gov , "We have lots of different pieces of technology, each one of them is very good at something, but not necessarily good at everything."

Phoenix PD's leap into robotics mirrors a larger trend among law enforcement agencies, as Spot is not the first of its kind to see active duty in the United States. However, it's breaking ground in the Valley, as the region's first to invest in such a mobile robot. The department anticipates further enhancements to Spot's capabilities, exploring options like radiation detection for hazardous environments and mesh technology for improved communication during operations where traditional devices may fail.

Spot's introduction is seen as a move toward providing better services and ensuring the safety of the community and officers alike during volatile incidents. Allen affirmed the ongoing journey toward advancement within the department: "SAU is always looking to innovate, always looking for ways to advance our technology, always looking for ways to, get better at what we do, whether it be digital technology or vehicle safety or any other aspect." This vision for continued progression captures the essence of Spot's role within the force, as the SAU looks forward to unlocking a future where robotics and human policing are increasingly intertwined.

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Police Officers with the Phoenix Special Assignments Unit (SAU) - the city's SWAT unit - demonstrate protective gear.

Police SWAT teams use similar equipment, clothing, weapons and techniques to military special operations units, except with an overriding focus on saving lives.

SWAT teams like Phoenix Special Assignments Unit, are trained to deal with high risk situations.

They are first responders to terrorist attacks, active shooter incidents, sniper incidents as well as carrying out pre-planned special operations such as serving high risk warrants, raids on drug dens and hostage rescue.

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Phoenix police to move staff from specialty details to patrol

The volume of emergency calls has increased, response times don’t meet expectations and a chronic staffing shortage now has Phoenix police down more than 400 officers.

The department said on Thursday that it will shuffle duty assignments to have enough people patrol the city.

The plan is to move roughly 100 officers and detectives from specialty details to patrol.

Figures provided by Phoenix police project the most transfers from bureaus such as community engagement, neighborhood enforcement and property crimes. Smaller unit reductions are forecast in areas like violent crime and tactical support.

“This plan was not entered into lightly. We know it has an impact on the lives of our officers and their families. And you, our community,” said Chief Jeri Williams in a department-produced video.

The Cactus Park Precinct, for example, needs dozens more officers to help answer emergency calls, city data show. The area spans west of Interstate 17 from Indian School Road to north of Happy Valley Road.

“When you pick up the phone and call for help, I want to make sure one of my officers is there,” said Williams.

In a prepared statement, Michael “Britt” London, president of the union called the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, said the re-assignments will affect crime investigations and make it harder for members to do their jobs.

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Phoenix police release footage of officers shooting during standoff with armed man

Phoenix police released a critical incident video that showed edited clips of body-camera footage involving a police shooting that occurred on May 24 near 32nd Street and Union Hills Drive. 

Sgt. Andy Williams, a department spokesperson who narrates the video, said a community member flagged down a nearby police sergeant about a man attempting to steal a vehicle about 3 p.m.

According to Williams, the sergeant spotted the man and followed him as he fled. As the sergeant followed the man, police received a 911 call from a woman claiming a man attempted to steal her truck while she was inside it.

Police played a portion of the 911 call, during which the woman said the man told her he had weapons but she didn't believe that was true.

Footage from the sergeant's body camera shows the sergeant exiting his vehicle and pointing a weapon at the man while ordering him to get on the ground. The man seems to ignore the sergeant and continues fleeing on foot, causing the sergeant to get back in his vehicle and follow the man.

Williams said the sergeant called for backup and established a perimeter with other officers after the man climbed over a fence in a residential area. Officers and K-9 units searched through various yards for the man when he shot at them about 4 p.m.

Body-camera footage shows a handful of officers in a yard when multiple gunshots can be heard. Williams said the shots only came from the suspect during that video clip.

Police found the man and said he had broken into an unoccupied home. Williams said the man shot multiple vehicles that officers were using as cover. One officer returned fire using a rifle but didn't strike him.

Body-camera footage from the officer who returned fire shows him firing nearly a dozen times behind a white GMC Sierra pickup truck. Williams said the officer and two sergeants then used cover fire to suppress the man while the officer and one of the sergeants moved to another vehicle parked farther away from the home.

Williams also showed body-camera footage from the two sergeants who also provided cover fire with their handguns. One sergeant stayed behind the pickup truck.

Williams said patrol officers cordoned off the area and evacuated nearby residents or had them take shelter in their homes. Members of Phoenix police's Special Assignment Unit arrived in armored vehicles and used a PA system to negotiate with the man. Williams said SAU members also used tear gas to avoid another shootout with the man.

Williams said the man exited the residence about three hours after the initial shooting. Footage shows the man on the home's first story roof as he climbs down a ladder police offered before taking him into custody. 

The man was taken to a hospital to be treated for minor injuries before being booked into jail on multiple charges, which include 17 counts of aggravated assault on a police officer and residential burglary.

Police did not identify the man as of Tuesday afternoon. 

Detectives recovered what appeared to be two rifles, a shotgun and a handgun, which police say the suspect used, Williams said.

Williams said the officer who fired the rifle is a four-year veteran with the department while the two sergeants who fired their handguns were 13- and 32-year veterans with the department. 

The department launched a criminal and internal investigation into the shooting as is standard protocol when police fire their weapons. 

Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at 602-444-2474 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter @PerryVandell .

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Goodyear Police’s special assignment unit back to work after brief pause for compensation issue

Aug 6, 2024, 3:13 PM

The Goodyear Police Department's special assignment unit is back in service after briefly being away due to a compensation issue. (Goodyear Police Photo)

(Goodyear Police Photo)

BY KTAR.COM

PHOENIX — The Goodyear Police Department’s special assignment unit is back in service after briefly being away due to a compensation issue.

The 17-member unit sent a letter to collectively resign from the unit — but remain members of the department — on Friday over the issue.

Goodyear officials said the unit returned to its full capacity on Monday through “communication and collaborative efforts with leadership” as their compensation concerns continue.

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“We are pleased to share that the Goodyear Police Department’s Special Assignment Unit is back in service after a brief pause to address a compensation issue,” Goodyear Police spokesman Sean Tyler said in a statement.

“We value the dedication and hard work of all Goodyear police officers and are committed to maintaining a positive and supportive work environment where every employee feels valued and heard.”

Goodyear Police said that there was no risk to public safety during the work pause. The West Valley city has partnerships with other nearby departments to respond to special assignment calls if necessary.

The special assignment unit operates similarly to a SWAT team, operating in high-risk situations for the department.

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