Phoenix police assistants now helping officers by responding to some calls

Alejandro Barahona
The Republic | azcentral.com
Phoenix Police Assistant, Lisa Gutierrez, displays new uniform and vehicle at Phoenix City Hall on Feb. 15.

A group of new Phoenix police assistants are working the city's streets in marked vehicles and uniforms, responding to a variety of calls in an effort to free up patrol officers for more urgent matters.

The 16 civilian assistants, who graduated in November, are driving in marked vehicles wearing a uniform, but are not sworn police officers, Phoenix police officials said.

Phoenix Police Sgt. Jonathan Howard said police assistants have been used to help officers in the past, and they will be recognized by their vehicles and uniforms, that differ from police officers. The department, at a Feb. 15 event with the media, presented a group of the assistants with their new uniforms.

Vanessa Rivas (left) and James Rising Eric have a combined 19 years of service as Phoenix police assistants. Police assistants are civilian workers, not sworn officers. Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher has proposed increasing the number of police assistants to combat an increase in police response times in the city.

Police assistants respond to calls such as to file reports for car accidents, thefts, burglaries or criminal damage that do not involve a suspect at a scene or another potentially dangerous situation.

The assistants are not police officers and are not trained to carry a gun or use force. They can file reports and even take fingerprints.

Phoenix police graduated its first class of patrol-call police assistants in 15 years in November, a move designed to revive the program.

Phoenix police Chief Jeri Williams said at the time that the catalyst for the program was a staffing crisis that spiked response times and overtime pay. The department has been working to rebuild its ranks after the recession, which had prompted a six-year hiring freeze and shrunk the force by 600 officers.

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Phoenix Police Assistant, Lisa Gutierrez, 32, is among the new graduates.

Gutierrez, who is bilingual and was born and raised in South Phoenix, said she is glad to help with Spanish translation whenever it is required but also enjoys helping to keep the city safe.

"This position is definitely a stepping stone," said Gutierrez, noting that working as an assistant might lead to a career as a police officer.

The hiring process to become a police assistant, takes about six months from start to finish, including the academy, which takes about six weeks, she said.

People can find out more information about the program on the Phoenix police website, but those that are interested can also talk to a recruiting officer, she said.

Phoenix police assistants are recognizable by their light, "French" blue shirts.