After the violent arrest of Tyron McAlpin in Phoenix, Arizona, charges against him have been dropped by the top prosecutor of Maricopa County. McAlpin, a Black man who is deaf and has cerebral palsy, was at the center of a video that showed Phoenix police officers punching and tasing him. The decision to dismiss all charges against McAlpin came after public outcry following the release of the body camera footage of his arrest.
Initially, McAlpin was facing three felony charges for allegedly assaulting the two officers and resisting arrest. The incident began when police were called to a convenience store because a White man claimed he had been assaulted and his phone stolen, pointing to McAlpin as the suspect. However, McAlpin was not charged for the incident and his lawyer argued that he was wrongfully accused.
In the arrest video, officer Benjamin Harris was seen punching McAlpin multiple times while officer Kyle Sue rushed to the scene. McAlpin was also tased repeatedly during the arrest. Despite claims from the officers that McAlpin had attacked them, his attorney stated that he was simply trying to avoid harm from the aggressive police officers who did not de-escalate the situation.
The release of the video sparked strong reactions from organizations like the NAACP and ACLU, leading Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell to personally review the case and eventually drop all charges against McAlpin. Mitchell mentioned that she had consulted with senior attorneys and community members to gather their opinions on the case.
This incident involving McAlpin occurred shortly after a Department of Justice report criticized the Phoenix police for engaging in discriminatory practices and the use of excessive force. The scrutiny of police actions in Phoenix has heightened in recent months, and McAlpin’s case highlights the need for accountability and reform within law enforcement agencies.
It is essential to address cases like McAlpin’s to ensure that individuals with disabilities are not subjected to unnecessary violence and mistreatment by law enforcement. Moving forward, there must be a focus on improving police training and protocols to prevent similar incidents and protect the rights of all individuals in the community.
