(Photo courtesy of Arizona Department of Corrections)

Michelle Cusseaux pictured in 2010.

A Phoenix police disciplinary review board has recommended demotion for the sergeant who fatally shot a mentally ill woman in August 2014, according to a department statement released Tuesday.

Phoenix police have said they went to Michelle Cusseaux’s apartment near 51^st Avenue and Indian School Road with a court order to take her to a mental health facility. When officers entered her apartment, police said Cusseaux threatened them with a hammer, and Sgt. Percy Dupra fatally shot her. 

The disciplinary review board was made up of two Phoenix residents and four Phoenix Police Department employees, said Sgt. Trent Crump, a department spokesman. The board met Tuesday afternoon behind closed doors at department headquarters.

A use-of-force review board had previously determined Dupra broke departmental policy.

Cusseaux’s mother, Frances Garrett, said Dupra should be fired.

“I don’t feel he needs to be working or serving our community,” Garrett said. 

Phoenix police Chief Joseph Yahner will make the final decision on whether Dupra will be demoted, Crump said. Yahner is traveling on city business and is expected to make a decision when he returns later this week.

Garrett wants Yahner to review the facts of the case again before acting. 

 “It’s time that we stand up for justice,” Garrett said. “His peers themselves said Dupra had violated policies and procedures.”

Dupra will have the option to appeal Yahner’s ruling to a civil service board.