Police scuffle sparks racial debate in Phoenix

The World

Last month, a black City councilmember in Phoenix, Ariz. was tackled to the ground and handcuffed by a white police officer. At the time of the scuffle, the councilmember was checking on a neighbor whose house was on fire. The police department has since said its officer did nothing wrong. But many residents, particularly in South Phoenix, say this case highlights a deep-seeded racial conflict in the city and a long-standing mistrust between black residents and the police department.

We talk with Peter O’Dowd who has been covering this story for KJZZ about how the community is responding and what the city is doing about it.

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