Bodycam shows police hitting and shocking deaf black man

Bodycam footage appears to show how Phoenix police officers hit and shocked a deaf black man with a Taser during an arrest in August.

Tyron Scott McAlpin, 34, was charged with resisting arrest and aggravated assault following the Aug. 19 incident.

The arrest occurred after officers responded to a call from a white man who alleged McAlpin had assaulted him near a convenience store.

McAlpin has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Video footage shows Officer Benjamin Harris and Officer Kyle Sue involved in a physical fight with McAlpin in a nearby parking lot shortly after confronting him.

Harris testified in court that McAlpin bit Officer Sue’s hand during the encounter and that Harris injured his hand while hitting McAlpin.

The footage appears to show McAlpin being Tasered multiple times during the altercation. News week contacted the Phoenix Police Department to ask for their response to the images via email.

Harris testified that the situation could have been avoided if McAlpin had indicated that he was deaf.

However, McAlpin’s attorney, Jesse Showalter, argued that the officers did not take steps to de-escalate the situation or assess that McAlpin was hard of hearing before using force. Jesse Showalter’s office was contacted by Newsweek via email to provide comment on the matter.

“Nothing was said or seen to officers that indicated Mr. McAlpin was hard of hearing,” Phoenix police said in a statement Tuesday.

The first assault complaint was filed by a man who told police McAlpin punched him in the face.

McAlpin has not been charged with the assault.

Showalter disputes that McAlpin was involved in an altercation with the man.

The Phoenix Police Department launched an internal investigation into the incident, which was assigned to its internal affairs unit.

The arrest fueled criticism of the Phoenix Police Department, which is already under scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for how it treats people from minority communities.

A DOJ investigation accused the department of discriminating against Black, Hispanic and Native American residents, illegally detaining homeless people and using excessive force, including cases of unjustified deadly force.

The DOJ investigation also found instances of officers retaliating against people who exercised their First Amendment rights, arrested peaceful protesters, and conducted illegal sweeps of homeless encampments.

Phoenix police have been involved in numerous incidents where excessive force was allegedly used against suspects and bystanders, including fatal shootings.

In some cases, officers reportedly shot individuals who posed no immediate threat or who were not obeying orders due to mental health issues.

The Justice Department said police also used “combative language and unnecessary force” when dealing with children.

Phoenix city officials have said they are committed to reforming the police department but have resisted efforts to enter into a consent decree with the DOJ.

This article includes reporting from the Associated Press