Today, Jeri Williams announced her sudden retirement as Chief of the Phoenix Police Department. This announcement comes in the midst of continued scandals and investigations into her role in the 2017 anti-protester challenge coin and 2020 protest cases. Since 2021, Jeri Williams repeatedly denied having any prior knowledge of her department’s plan to falsely charge protesters as gang members or the creation and distribution of a neo-Nazi challenge coin that celebrates police violence.

Mass Liberation Arizona issued the following statement:

It comes as no surprise to Mass Liberation AZ that Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams chose to “retire” after being caught in a string of lies. She’s been avoiding accountability at every turn by scapegoating her staff and telling outright lies to protect her position. Her retirement, itself, is a lie. Williams is trying to slip out the back door while the whole city unravels at the hands of her deadly police force.

We warned the City every step of the way. We have been vocal about these deceptions and called for Williams’ job on our own platforms and directly to Phoenix City Council through thousands of public comments, dozens of citizen petitions, and meetings with councilmembers who claim to represent the community. Yet from May 2020 to May 2022, the City has done nothing but hide. What’s worse, Mayor “Cover Up Kate” Gallego tried and failed to cover up the police misconduct and now she, herself, will have to face accountability.

City Council should take heed. This scandal is far from over. We forced Ed Zuercher into retirement, now Jeri Williams. There will be more. City officials need to get on the right side of history or face removal