Phoenix (AZ Family) — Phoenix police and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office are reviewing the department’s use of force in the Aug. 19 arrest spree.
arizona family We obtained body camera footage from the arrest. In it, two officers can be seen punching Tyrone McAlpin, who is on the ground. Shortly thereafter, he was taped up by officers while on the ground.
During the altercation, the deputy’s body camera fell off. One officer claimed McAlpin It bit him at some point during the arrest.
McAlpin was charged with two counts of assault on a police officer and one count of resisting arrest, which his attorney is fighting to have the charges dismissed.
“They’re taping him, but there was no underlying crime. Tyrone did nothing wrong,” said attorney Jesse Showalter.
arizona family When I spoke with Showalter, he said his client has a disability. “He is deaf and has cerebral palsy.” Showalter claims the officers acted in a disorderly manner. “That officer wasn’t breathing. He jumped out of the car, got on top of Tyrone, and physically attacked him.”
According to a police report, officers were investigating an assault at the Circle K near 12th Street and Indian School.
They found McAlpin nearby and claimed he matched the description of the suspect given by the assault victim. McAlpin’s attorney maintains his client was not involved in the assault.
“They followed Tyrone as he was returning to his home,” Showalter said.
One clip shows one of the officers in a patrol car pull up in front of McAlpin as he walks through the parking lot. The officer then exits the vehicle and confronts McAlpin.
McAlpin and his attorney question the use of force in the incident.
Phoenix police said they have been investigating the incident since Aug. 30. However, there are no updates.
The arrest also comes just months after a recent Justice Department report concluded that the Phoenix Police Department used excessive force and discriminated against blacks, Hispanics and Native Americans.
Arizona’s family contacted the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association. President Darrell Kriplani issued the following statement:
“We are aware of an incident that occurred on August 19, 2024, in which an individual immediately became combative with police officers who attempted to question him about involvement in previous assaults against members of the community. Although some media outlets have portrayed this incident as an issue of race and discrimination, in reality, two officers in Phoenix Police Department uniforms were involved in Mark’s attack. It’s a story about driving a police car with a police car and being immediately attacked by someone who is accused of committing a crime. Our police officers use force that is reasonable and necessary based on the circumstances presented at the time. After reviewing all the evidence presented, Maricopa County Superior Court Chief Justice Nick Saccone decided to charge the suspect with a felony for his actions against the officer. We have determined that there is sufficient evidence. We stand by our officers and caution the community to make decisions about this case until all of the evidence has been considered, not just snippets of body camera footage.”
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