Two officers from the Phoenix police department have been placed on paid leave as an investigation unfolds into the rough arrest of a deaf Black man with cerebral palsy, which has stirred significant public outrage.

The Phoenix Police Department confirmed on Tuesday that Officers Benjamin Harris and Kyle Sue are on administrative leave while a formal investigation is conducted regarding the August arrest of 34-year-old Tyron McAlpin.

Graphic footage from a body camera shows the officers violently assaulting McAlpin and using a Taser on him multiple times after he failed to follow their orders. McAlpin was initially charged with two counts of aggravated assault against an officer and resisting arrest, but those charges were dropped last week by Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell.

The video of the incident, which was released during a court hearing, has been subject to intense scrutiny by local and state officials, as well as human rights organizations.

An internal investigation into the arrest is now underway. Police interim chief, Michael Sullivan, stated that he will personally assess the findings from this inquiry.

Body Camera Footage Reveals Violent Arrest Sequence

According to body camera footage and official records, the police officers responded to a trespassing report from employees at a Circle K gas station.

Upon arrival, the officers encountered a white man who claimed he had been assaulted and pointed to McAlpin across the street. McAlpin’s lawyer has since stated that these claims were baseless. There were no charges against McAlpin regarding the alleged assault.

The officers approached McAlpin without further questioning the witnesses or the initial report. In the footage, McAlpin, visible in a Dollar Store parking lot, is seen walking when Officer Sue commands him to “stop where you’re at.”

After receiving no immediate response from McAlpin, Officer Sue reached out, initiating a struggle. As Sue grabbed McAlpin’s arm, the latter seemed to resist, raising his arms. The officers then took McAlpin down, struck him multiple times, and repeatedly used a Taser on him while demanding he put his hands behind his back. Eventually, they succeeded in handcuffing him.

Public Outcry Following Release of Arrest Footage

Vice Mayor Stark stated that while she supported the county attorney’s decision to drop charges against McAlpin, she would withhold judgment on whether the city and police department owed McAlpin an apology until after the investigation concludes.

Arizona legislators, including Sen. Anna Hernandez and Rep. Analise Ortiz, remarked in a shared statement that the arrest exemplified “larger systemic issues within the Phoenix Police Department.”

The statement emphasized that “Tyron is deaf and has cerebral palsy, and he should never have endured such a brutal attack from police officers.”

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice criticized the Phoenix Police Department for civil rights violations, highlighting that officers often employed unlawful force and disproportionately targeted marginalized communities.