Ex-city councilmember says ‘reform must happen’ with Phoenix police

When Carlos Galindo-Elvira was appointed to serve on the Phoenix City Council a year ago, he promised not to run for a full term. That put him in a unique position: Without a reelection bid to worry about, Galindo-Elvira could focus his short tenure on the present.

“I’ve always felt comfortable knowing my place. I’m OK being in the background, I’m OK just helping,” he told Phoenix New Times. “It doesn’t have to be about me, and it shouldn’t be about me.”

Monday, Galindo-Elvira left office after representing central, south and west Phoenix for a year and 12 days. On the eve of Galindo-Elvira’s exit from office, New Times sat down with him at Free Trade Cafe on Roosevelt Row to discuss his time on the council, the personalities of the people on it and the Phoenix Police Department.

The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Which councilmember are you closest with?

I work the most with Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington, and that’s because we represent similar districts. Being adjacent to each other, it’s important for us to be able to work together, either by having quarterly meetings or joint projects. I still enjoy working with her. She’s one of the smartest people I’ve ever met. Many times when we’re sitting in front of the dais, I have questions to ask, but I’m like, “Just wait till Kesha asks.” Normally, she will have questions that I might have, but she’ll ask them in a different way.

Which councilmember would you most want to get a beer with?

Betty Guardado. Nobody says my name like Betty Guardado. I really enjoy her. She’s really straightforward and gives good advice. But she’s also really funny, so I think it would be fun to just hang out and have a beer.

Which councilmember would you want by your side in a zombie apocalypse?

Laura Pastor. She’s no-nonsense and has a really good sense of strategy.

Whose bad side would you least want to be on?

That’s a hard one. That’s not fair.

What was most surprising about your time on the council?

The issue of homelessness. I knew about it. I didn’t understand how messy and heartbreaking it is, and how integrated it is with other issues — public safety, parks and recreation, heat resiliency. There are so many factors that feed off each other.

What’s your take on your successor, Councilmember Anna Hernandez?

We have a great working relationship. I think she’s got a lot of energy and has a different approach to governance. I’ve worked on some environmental issues, but she has an affinity for environmental issues.

Throughout the campaign, I endorsed Marcelino Quinonez but made it clear that I was never against her. When you look at the district, it’s neither far left nor far right — it’s in the middle.

What do you make of the calls by some Republicans to get the Department of Justice to rescind its report on the Phoenix Police Department?

The idea of rescinding the DOJ report might make some feel good, but it doesn’t erase what was written. Change may be delayed, but it won’t be denied. It will happen. The work that has already been started under Chief Michael Sullivan and the policy work of the council, that continues. That doesn’t end. While I may no longer be there, I believe that a strong majority of the council still believes that reform must happen.

Why did the council come out against a consent decree before the DOJ report was released?

There was always a sense that it could drop at any moment. But I remember being asked at my appointment meeting if I would agree to a consent decree without reading it first, and my response was: Why would I buy a home sight unseen?

How do you regard outgoing Chief Michael Sullivan?

I found him to be honest, forthcoming and earnest. I never walked away feeling that his intent for change was ever fake or ill-advised. I felt that he needed support to continue on that path. I was surprised that he withdrew from consideration for the permanent job, but I give him a lot of credit for stepping back and saying, “Maybe change won’t happen with me, but it still will happen under someone else.” I don’t believe someone’s gonna get hired who says, “Stop, rewind, erase.”

What changes are needed with Phoenix police?

What’s needed today? A cultural shift that aligns with today’s realities, an acceptance that change is happening, more constant accountability and more benchmarks. I think it’s crucial that councilmembers say, “This is supposed to be XYZ. Why hasn’t that been met and when’s it gonna change?” I think that should happen at every phase of the plan. Nothing is too small.

What should Phoenicians be most worried about?

Heat resiliency. They gotta keep their eye on that. What are we doing to address those issues now?