The Phoenix Police Department has officially closed its internal investigation into the 2020 scandal involving the fabrication of a “criminal street gang” used to target protesters.
While Chief Matt Giordano confirmed that three out of six investigated employees violated department policy, the city has announced that no disciplinary action will be taken. According to officials, the individuals found in violation have already retired, effectively placing them beyond the reach of the department’s professional sanctions.
The controversy dates back to October 21, 2020, when 17 protesters were arrested and subsequently charged as members of a non-existent gang invented by local police and county prosecutors. Evidence later revealed that officials colluded to mislead a grand jury, comparing activists to high-profile criminal organizations like the Bloods and Crips.
These charges were only dismissed in February 2021 after investigative reporting by ABC15 exposed the lack of credible evidence. While Maricopa County settled its portion of the resulting lawsuit for $6 million last December, the police department’s own review has resulted in zero active accountability.
A central figure in the investigation was Sgt. Doug McBride, who was found to have provided “egregious” testimony to secure the indictments. McBride officially retired in December 2025, just months before the internal report was finalized, and currently collects an annual pension of $98,000.
While the Phoenix Police Sergeants and Lieutenants Association (PPSLA) maintains that McBride did not violate policy, community groups have condemned the timing of these retirements as a tactic to avoid consequences.
The report is part of a long, coordinated process built on deliberate delay, deflection, and institutional self-protection,” stated Mass Liberation AZ, a group advocating for police reform. City Councilwoman Ann O’Brien addressed the findings in an email, noting that while the city has since increased training and transparency, “Policy violations that impact people’s rights and trust in government are serious and must be addressed.”
Despite the massive county settlement, the legal battle continues for two remaining plaintiffs, Ryder Collins and Bruce Franks Jr., who have kept their claims against the City of Phoenix active.
For many of those falsely accused, the lack of department-level discipline feels like a missed opportunity for true reform. “It’s up to the community to organize and force change,” said Marysa Leyva, one of the protesters targeted in 2020. “The only reason there was an investigation into this in the first place was because of reporting and community organizations.”
