Phoenix police officers on leave amid investigation into violent arrest of deaf man

Two Phoenix police officers have been placed on paid leave amid an investigation into the violent arrest of a deaf black man with cerebral palsy that sparked an outcry of outrage and condemnation.

The Phoenix Police Department confirmed Tuesday that Officers Benjamin Harris and Kyle Sue are on administrative leave while the agency conducts a formal investigation into the August arrest of 34-year-old Tyron McAlpin.

Graphic body camera footage of the encounter shows the two officers striking McAlpin and shocking him multiple times with a Taser after he did not obey their commands. McAlphin faces two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer and resisting arrest, but those charges were dropped by Maricopa County Prosecutor Rachel Mitchell last week.

Footage of the arrest shown during a court hearing was widely scrutinized by local and state officials and human rights advocates.

An internal police investigation into this violent arrest is underway. The department’s acting chief, Michael Sullivan, said he would personally review the findings of that investigation.

Body camera captures violent arrest

Officers responded to a trespassing call made by employees at a Circle K store and gas station, according to body camera footage and recordings.

When officers arrived and spoke to the trespassing suspect, who is white, the man told them he had just been attacked and pointed to McAlpin across the street. McAlpin’s lawyer said the accusations were unfounded. No charges against McAlpin were related to this assault allegation.

The officers arrived next to McAlpin, without speaking to other witnesses or questioning the man further first. In the video, McAlpin can be seen walking through the Dollar Store parking lot when Sue approaches him and says, “Hey buddy, stop where you are.”

After a brief moment of no response from McAlpin, the officer reached out and a struggle began as Sue grabbed McAlpin’s arm. McAlpin appeared to push back and raise his arms. The officers took McAlpin to the ground, punched him several times and stunned him several times with a Taser while telling him to put his hands behind his back. McAlpin was eventually handcuffed.

Footage sparks outcry against struggling police department

State and local officials, including Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Vice Mayor Debra Stark, expressed concern after body camera footage of the arrest was released during a court hearing on 1 october.

Stark later said in a statement that she respected the county attorney’s decision to drop charges against McAlpin, but said she would await the results of the city’s investigation before deciding whether the city and the police department owed McAlpin an apology.

Arizona State Sen. Anna Hernandez and State Rep. Analise Ortiz said in a joint statement that the arrest was “indicative of broader systemic issues within the Arizona Police Department.” Phoenix.”

“Tyron is deaf and has cerebral palsy and should never have been subjected to this brutal attack by police officers,” the statement said.

In June, the U.S. Department of Justice criticized Phoenix police for civil rights violations, including that officers systematically used unlawful force and disproportionately targeted people of color.

Contributors: Jeanine Santucci, Michael Loria, USA TODAY; Maritza Dominguez, Miguel Torres and Taylor Seely, Arizona Republic; Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Phoenix officers on leave after violent arrest of deaf man