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Phoenix mayor apologizes for on-camera confrontation between cops and black family

The mayor of Phoenix has issued an apology for the “terrifying” on-camera confrontation between police officers, a local black couple and their two young children — which went viral over the weekend and sparked cries of racism.

“I, like many others, am sick over what I have seen in the video depicting Phoenix police interacting with a family,” said Mayor Kate Gallego in a statement posted on Twitter.

“It was completely inappropriate and clearly unprofessional,” Gallego added. “There is no situation in which this behavior is ever close to acceptable. As a mother myself, seeing these children placed in such a terrifying situation is beyond upsetting. I am deeply sorry for what this family went through, and I apologize to our community.”

Phoenix residents Dravon Ames and Iesha Harper have filed a $10 million civil suit against the city, claiming police unlawfully arrested them on suspicion of shoplifting after one of their daughter’s was reported for swiping a Barbie doll from a Family Dollar.

Cellphone video shows officers roughing Ames up and cursing him out while Harper — who is pregnant — looks on with their two kids, ages 1 and 4.

“This is not who we are,” said Gallego, “and I refuse to allow this type of behavior to go unchallenged. I have spoken directly with our Police Chief, City Manager, and our Public Safety Subcommittee Chairman. First, we are speeding up the implementation of body-warn cameras across our police force…Second, this Tuesday, June 18, I have called for a community meeting about this incident.”

Gallego said she asked Police Chief Jeri Williams to “listen directly” to the concerns of community members. The city’s top cop has already condemned the May 29 incident, calling it “extremely unsettling.”

“It’s troubling…and definitely not representative of the 2,900 officers we have in Phoenix,” Williams told reporters on Sunday.

“We owe it to our residents to give them an open forum to discuss their concerns with us and to propose solutions,” Gallego added. “I recognize that to get to the bottom of this issue and implement meaningful change, we are going to have some uncomfortable and painful conversations. These conversations must continue until every one of our residents feels safe in our community.”