Sunday, November 3, 2024

Disabled Black Man in Arizona Faces Charges After Violent Arrest by Phoenix Police

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Arizona — A disabled Black man in Arizona is facing multiple charges after being punched and shocked with a stun gun by two Phoenix police officers. Tyron McAlpin, who is deaf and has cerebral palsy, has been charged with felony assault and resisting arrest, according to authorities.

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The incident occurred on August 19 and was captured on both surveillance video and police body-worn cameras. The officers said they were responding to a report of an assault at a nearby Circle K store and that McAlpin matched the description of the suspect provided by a bystander. However, the initial suspect description was for a white man who had been causing a disturbance in the store. The officers also claimed McAlpin became combative and tried to run when they approached him.

McAlpin’s attorneys argue that the video footage tells a different story.

In the video, police are seen pulling up to McAlpin and ordering him to the ground. McAlpin does not appear to immediately comply. The footage then shows the officers punching him 10 times in the head and shocking him with a stun gun four times, all while yelling for him to put his hands behind his back. McAlpin’s attorney said he did not understand what was happening and could not hear the officers’ commands due to his deafness.

A police union representing the officers defended their actions, stating that individuals should know how to react when approached by police. The union further argued that the officers had to use force because they did not know McAlpin was deaf at the time and claimed McAlpin had taken a fighting stance and bit one of the officers.

“After reviewing all evidence presented, Maricopa County Superior Court Commissioner Nick Saccone determined there was sufficient evidence for the felony charges against the suspect due to his actions against the officers,” said Phoenix Law Enforcement Association President Darrell Kriplean. A Maricopa County judge found probable cause for McAlpin’s arrest and the charges.

The Phoenix Police Department has stated its support for the officers involved in the arrest and has urged the public to avoid making premature judgments based on a portion of the video footage. The department is conducting an internal investigation into the incident.

Disabled Black Man in Arizona Faces Charges After Violent Arrest by Phoenix Police

This arrest comes just months after the Department of Justice (DOJ) released a report in June concluding that the Phoenix Police Department had engaged in civil rights violations, including racial discrimination and bias against people with disabilities. The DOJ’s investigation found systemic issues within the department’s policies, training, supervision, and accountability systems, which had been “perpetuated for years.”

The DOJ opened its investigation into the Phoenix Police Department in August 2021 after multiple complaints about the use of excessive force. The department has stated that it welcomes the investigation and sees it as an opportunity to improve service to the community.

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