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To: Reginald G. A. Neal, Ed.D | Assistant Secretary, Operations, Security, and Preparedness (OSP)

Phoenix VA Police Leadership Retained Despite Substantiated Racial Harassment Findings

This publication exists to preserve and publicly document what many employees, veterans, whistleblowers, and observers describe as a culture of tolerated misconduct, failed oversight, institutional protectionism, and retained discriminatory leadership within the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Police Department (Phoenix VA Police / PVAPD). 

Official federal findings have already substantiated racial harassment against an African-American employee within Phoenix, VA Police leadership. Yet from August, 2025, to present, senior officials within the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness (OSP) have reportedly continued retaining officials associated with substantiated racial harassment, substantiated sexual harassment concerns, retaliation concerns, and potential "Giglio-Related Credibility" concerns in positions of federal law enforcement authority.

Summary of Documented Facts

  1. 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 police officer Joshua FISTER, made racially offensive comments, and managemen  tolerated discriminatory jokes, and failed to correct inappropriate conduct. 

  2. Leadership Deception and Denial: Despite official federal findings substantiating racial harassment within Phoenix VA Police leadership, PHXVAPD officials have allegedly continued denying racial discrimination problems within the department while minimizing or concealing substantiated discrimination findings, retaliation concerns, and hostile work environment allegations. Critics argue this conduct undermines public trust, transparency, and confidence in VA Police leadership and raises serious Title VII Civil Rights concerns. 

  3. 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)

  4. 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)

  5. Specific Incidents of Racial Hostility: Leadership personnel such as Joshua FISTER engaged in 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. 

Public Awareness Notice:

In light of substantiated findings of racial harassment, documented workplace concerns, and the continued retention of Phoenix VA Police leadership officials, including Joshua FISTER, this publication serves as a record for preservation and public awareness regarding the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Police Department (Phoenix VA Police / PHXVAPD) and its oversight history:

  •  Substantiated Racial Harassment Findings: Official federal findings substantiated racial harassment involving an African-American employee within Phoenix VA Police leadership structures.

  • Retention of Leadership Officials: Despite substantiated findings and related concerns, management officials reportedly remained in positions involving supervisory authority, hiring influence, promotional influence, and federal law enforcement leadership. 

  • Phoenix VA Executive Leadership Awareness: Phoenix Veterans Affairs Healthcare System (PVAHCS) "Executive Leadership" reportedly received notification of Title VII discrimination complaints, Office of Resolution Management (ORM) matters, and substantiated workplace findings from 2022 to present. Despite this awareness, the same management VA Police management officials remained in positions of power while under the authority of the PVAHCS Executive Leadership functions prior to the 2025/2026 consolidation to OSP. 

  • OSP Awareness From August 2025 to Present: Office of Operations, Security, and Preparedness (OSP) leadership reportedly received direct evidence, complaints, investigative materials, emails, and reporting concerning these matters from August 2025 to present while the same Phoenix VA Police leadership structure remained in place. . 

  • Public Awareness Purpose: This information is preserved so current and future employees, applicants, veterans, whistleblowers, minority applicants, female applicants, and members of the public may independently research the documented history, workplace culture concerns, and leadership decisions associated with Phoenix VA Police. 

Why is this important?


  1. Protecting Veterans and Public Trust:  Phoenix VA Police officers are entrusted with protecting veterans, employees, visitors, and federal facilities. Concerns involving substantiated racial harassment, retaliation, and leadership misconduct raise broader questions regarding professionalism, integrity, judgment, and public trust within a federal law enforcement environment. 

  2. Federal Civil Rights Concerns:   Official findings substantiated racial harassment involving an African-American employee within Phoenix VA Police leadership structures. These concerns directly implicate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and broader federal workplace protections intended to prevent discriminatory and hostile work environments. 

  3. Leadership Retention Despite Findings:  A major concern is not simply that findings existed, but that Phoenix VA Health Care System's  "Executive Leadership" retained the same management officials despite awareness of substantiated findings, complaints, and workplace concerns over multiple years. Critics argue this reflects a broader culture of institutional protectionism rather than accountability. 

  4.  Whistleblower and Retaliation Concerns:  Employees and observers have raised concerns regarding retaliation, intimidation, and the dismissal of employees as “disgruntled” after reporting misconduct or workplace concerns. Such perceptions can discourage reporting, damage morale, and weaken confidence in internal accountability systems. 

  5.  Preservation and Public Awareness:  This publication exists to preserve publicly accessible information regarding Phoenix VA Police leadership history, substantiated findings, oversight awareness, and workplace culture concerns so that current and future employees, applicants, veterans, and members of the public may independently review and assess the documented record. 

Updates

2025-11-28 08:28:12 -0500

As of October 16, 2025, the Concerned Citizens of Arizona have established direct communication with senior leadership in the VA’s Office of Security & Preparedness (OSP). OSP has formally acknowledged our concerns about corruption, discrimination, retaliation, and other unlawful practices within the Phoenix VA Police Department.

This acknowledgment puts the VA on record.
OSP is now fully aware of the long-standing issues — from discriminatory treatment and retaliatory targeting to prohibited personnel practices and constructive discharges used to force employees out.

We remain hopeful that this marks the beginning of meaningful change. The Phoenix VA has operated for too long without accountability. Now that OSP leadership has been notified directly, the responsibility to correct these abuses lies squarely with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The truth is out.

And the momentum for change has already begun.