PHOENIX — Two officers who were involved in the beating and shocking of a deaf Black man with cerebral palsy are on paid administrative leave, the Phoenix Police Department confirmed to 12News on Monday evening.
Phoenix police officers were called to a Circle K parking lot in August regarding a fight a white man had started, according to police reports released by Tyron McAlpin's attorney.
"They didn't conduct any investigation other than talking to that man, and he then pointed to an African American who'd been in the store earlier and claimed to have been assaulted by him," Jesse Showalter, one of McAlpin's attorneys, said.
Officers found McAlpin in a Dollar Tree Parking lot, which is when the video released to 12News by Showalter begins. The video shows officers throwing punches and using a taser on McAlpin.
McAlpin is on the ground in the video footage when officers shock him four times while giving him verbal commands and then handcuff him.
In the video, McAlpin's girlfriend tries to explain to officers that McAlpin is deaf and has cerebral palsy. That information was not documented in the reports by the officers involved.
McAlpin previously faced three felony charges related to the incident, but Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell dropped those charges.
"I promised I would personally review the case including a large volume of video recordings, police reports, and other materials that have been forwarded to my office," Mitchell said in a statement. "I have now completed my review and have made the decision to dismiss all remaining charges against Mr. McAlpin.”
12News reached out to the Phoenix Police Department and asked police to confirm that the officers involved in the arrest of McAlpin were placed on leave.
"Officer Harris and Officer Sue are on paid administrative leave," police told 12News.
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