Bodycam footage appears to show how Phoenix police officers punched and shocked a deaf Black man with a Taser during an arrest in August.
Tyron Scott McAlpin, 34, was charged with felony 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 that McAlpin had assaulted him near a convenience store.
McAlpin has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The video footage shows Officer Benjamin Harris and Officer Kyle Sue involved in a physical struggle 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 own hand while hitting McAlpin.
The footage appears to show McAlpin being shocked with a Taser multiple times during the altercation. Newsweek has contacted the Phoenix Police Department to ask for their response to the footage through email.
Phoenix Police Department via AP
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 hearing impaired before using force. Jesse Showalter’s office has been contacted by Newsweek via email to provide a comment on the case.
“There was nothing that the officers were told or witnessed to indicate Mr. McAlpin was hearing impaired,” Phoenix police said in a statement on Tuesday.
The initial complaint of assault was made by a man who told police that McAlpin had punched him in the face.
McAlpin has not been charged with that assault.
Showalter disputes that McAlpin was involved in any altercation with the man.
The Phoenix Police Department has launched an internal investigation into the incident, which has been assigned to its internal affairs unit.
Phoenix Police Department via AP
The arrest has fueled criticism of the Phoenix Police Department, which is already facing scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for its treatment of people from minority communities.
A DOJ investigation has accused the department of discriminating against Black, Hispanic, and Native American residents, unlawfully detaining homeless people, and using excessive force, including instances of unjustified deadly force.
The DOJ’s investigation also highlighted cases of officers retaliating against people for exercising their First Amendment rights, arresting peaceful protesters, and conducting unlawful sweeps of homeless encampments.
Phoenix police have been involved in numerous incidents where excessive force was allegedly used against both suspects and bystanders, including fatal shootings.
In some instances, officers reportedly shot individuals who posed no immediate threat or failed to comply with commands due to mental health crises.
The Justice Department said police also use “combative language and needless force” when dealing with children.
Phoenix city officials have said they are committed to reforming the police department but have resisted efforts to enter a consent decree with the DOJ.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
