PHOENIX (AZ Family) — Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office in January raises questions about what that means police reform in Phoenix.

While he has yet to publicly nominate anyone for the role of US attorney general, Trump’s previous presidency could provide insight into what could happen in January.

In June, the The US Department of Justice released a scathing report on the Phoenix Police Department. Despite federal recommendations, the city did not agree to federal oversight.

The DOJ accused Phoenix police of excessive force, civil rights violations and discrimination against minorities and the homeless.

“This is an example where we can’t rely on the police to police themselves,” said Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general for the DOJ’s civil rights division.

Since June, Phoenix has doubled down, saying it has taken steps to improve accountability and transparency.

Emily Gunston, a former Justice Department lawyer, thinks that’s not enough.

“At the time DOJ seeks a consent decree to remedy the violations, it has determined that it is highly unlikely that the jurisdiction can or will make these reforms on its own,” Gunston said. “He would have done that already if he could.”

The career lawyers who investigated the department will remain under a new administration, but Trump will decide who runs the justice department.

“The new administration that comes in could continue that process based on the career staff’s findings, or they could determine not to continue the process and then the findings are just findings.”

During Trump’s last term, the Justice Department launched an investigation of the type or practice, compared to 18 under former President Obama and 12 under President Biden.

“I think that given Donald Trump’s track record the last time he was president, people should be very concerned that he and his attorney general will not move forward with the lawsuit being investigated by career lawyers at the Department of Justice.” .

Law enforcement reform expert Michael Gennaco agrees.

“I think the DOJ in January, when there’s a change in administration, they may not just go back, they may just completely drop this and other investigations they have going on into the system’s problems by the police,” he said.

Several city leaders have said they want to delay signing a preliminary agreement or consent decree. Experts believe this would further divide the community.

“I think it’s going to leave the community uneasy about how policing is practiced in the city of Phoenix,” Gennaco said.

In other cases, the DOJ did not reach a consent decree, but the state moved forward with one. In Arizona, however, the state attorney general does not have the authority to provide this type of oversight.

The Phoenix Police Department said Tuesday it remains committed to improving its public safety services.

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