Phoenix Police Officers Punched and Shocked a Deaf Black Man, Body Camera Footage Shows

PHOENIX – PHOENIX (AP) — Phoenix police officers repeatedly punched and shocked a deaf black man with a Taser nearly two months ago when they responded to a call that the man had committed an attack at a convenience store, according to body camera footage. body.

The man, Tyron Scott McAlpin, 34, was charged with felony resisting arrest and aggravated assault stemming from the Aug. 19 encounter with officers. McAlpin’s arrest was first reported late last week by ABC15 Arizona. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Police say Officer Benjamin Harris suffered a hand injury when he hit McAlpin, while McAlpin bit Officer Kyle Sue’s hand during the struggle, which was recorded on the officers’ body cameras. The race of the officers was not revealed in police reports.

In a court hearing, Harris testified that everything could have been avoided if McAlpin had just indicated he was deaf, ABC15 reported.

The Phoenix Police Department did not immediately respond to a request through the department’s messaging system seeking comment from The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The man who called police, who is white, said McAlpin, who was walking nearby, punched him in the face.

An officer caught up with McAlpin in a nearby parking lot and immediately placed his hands on him after exiting his patrol vehicle, and the fight began.

McAlpin was arrested on suspicion of assaulting the man who called police, but was not charged with assaulting him.

The agency told ABC15 the encounter is under investigation and has been assigned to its internal affairs department.

The Phoenix Police Department has been accused by the U.S. Department of Justice of discriminating against blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans, illegally detaining homeless people and using excessive force, including unjustified deadly force.

The city has said it is committed to reforms in its police department but has resisted efforts to sign a consent decree with the Justice Department.