City Council takes no action to fire Phoenix officers

PHOENIX (FOX 10) -- The Phoenix City Council has taken no action on a formal request to fire Phoenix officers involved in a videotaped encounter that showed them pointing guns and hurling obscenities at a black couple.

The request was made before Wednesday's meeting by a representative of the couple, who also previously asked for the officers' termination and filed a $10 million claim against the city.

City officials noted that under Phoenix's charter, the council cannot fire administrative employees.

The city legal staff said state laws and a memorandum of understanding with the police union prevent termination of officers without due process.

The council moved at a previous meeting Tuesday to ease distrust of the police amid the outcry in what is the nation's fifth largest city.