We, the undersigned concerned employees, veterans, whistleblowers, and stakeholders, petition the Department of Veterans Affairs to immediately address the systemic failures of leadership and the documented culture of misconduct within the Phoenix VA Police Department (PVAPD).
Official federal findings, corroborated by internal communications and court records, reveal a long-standing pattern of racial discrimination and retaliation that has been consistently denied and covered up by PHXVAPD leadership, severely compromising the safety, integrity, and morale of the department.
Summary of Documented Facts
- Substantiated Discrimination: As confirmed by the VA Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication (OEDCA) on October 13, 2023 (VA Case No. 200P-644-2022-147530), the Phoenix VA Police Service was found to have created a racially hostile work environment in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This finding confirmed that supervisory personnel made racially offensive comments, tolerated discriminatory jokes, and failed to correct inappropriate conduct.
- Leadership Deception and Denial: Despite this official finding, PHXVAPD leadership has repeatedly circulated a false narrative to employees and the public, denying the existence of a discrimination problem and providing false and/or incomplete information to conceal their history of discrimination. This deliberate deception undermines the integrity of VA leadership.
- Targeted Retaliation: Employees who report discrimination, expose leadership misconduct, or challenge questionable practices are consistently targeted and labeled as "disgruntled employees." This retaliatory practice is designed to silence truth-tellers and shift focus away from managerial failures, as evidenced by circumstances surrounding the department-wide email sent on October 8, 2025, which included official court documents and agency findings. (Read about the Exposing Email)
- Historical Pattern of Bias: Systemic bias is evidenced by the discriminatory rescinding of the Chief of Police selection for an experienced Black veteran around 2008/2009, based on inconsistent application of standards that were subsequently relaxed for non-Black officers with similar or fewer qualifications. (See Evidence)
- Specific Incidents of Racial Hostility: Leadership personnel engaged in and tolerated racially derogatory remarks, including comparing a Black officer to "Mr. Tibbs" and mocking Black officers by referencing the movie Forrest Gump in a derogatory, racially charged manner, demonstrating profound racial bias.
Demand for Immediate Corrective Action
In light of the substantiated findings and the demonstrated failure of local leadership to manage an ethical, compliant, and equitable workplace, we demand the following corrective actions be implemented immediately:
- Launch an Independent Investigation: The Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness (OSP) initiate an immediate, full-scope, and transparent investigation into the specific conduct of current Phoenix VA Police leadership regarding their denial of official EEO findings, their patterns of retaliation, and the documented discriminatory culture.
- Mandatory Accountability: Any PHXVAPD leadership personnel found to have deliberately misled employees, engaged in or tolerated racial discrimination, or participated in retaliation must face swift and appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including removal from their positions.
- Establish External Oversight: Institute an independent, external monitoring body, reporting directly to the Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness (OSP), to oversee PHXVAPD operations, conduct, and EEO compliance for a minimum of two years.
- Whistleblower Protection and Support: Guarantee robust protection for all employees who have reported or plan to report misconduct, ensuring they are not subjected to professional or administrative retaliation.
The Phoenix VA Police Department has a duty to protect veterans and serve the public with integrity. This is impossible while its leadership fosters an environment of discrimination, deceit, and fear. We urge you to take decisive action to restore trust, ensure accountability, and secure justice for the employees and veterans affected by this systemic failure.
