Tyron McAlpin, a deaf Black man with cerebral palsy, was charged with aggravated assault and resisting arrest after an incident in August where he was shocked with a Taser and punched by Phoenix police officers. He was also charged with theft, but all charges have since been dismissed by Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell after reviewing the case and consulting with the community.
Body cam video released by the Phoenix Police Department showed the officers beating and tasering McAlpin, who was unable to respond to verbal commands due to being deaf. McAlpin’s attorney accused the officers of launching a “frenzied and violent attack” on him, and requested additional video footage which refuted the assault claim made by a man at a convenience store.
The incident involving McAlpin is part of a larger issue within the Phoenix Police Department, as a Justice Department report released earlier this year found that the department discriminates against Black, Hispanic, and Native American individuals, uses excessive force, and disproportionately targets communities of color.
The dismissal of charges against McAlpin highlights the need for accountability and transparency within law enforcement, as well as the importance of upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of race or disability.
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