PHOENIX — Interim Phoenix Police Chief Michael Sullivan announced Tuesday he had issued 24-hour, unpaid suspensions to three officers involved in the arrest of Tyron McAlpin.
McAlpin, a Black man who is deaf with cerebral palsy, was facing felony charges after Phoenix police officers detained him last August while responding to a call in a Circle K parking lot.
Video of the incident shows officers throwing punches and using a taser on McAlpin. The county attorney later decided to dismiss the charges against McAlpin.
Chief Sullivan said two of the three officers who received suspensions will also be required to attend de-escalation training.
Sullivan released the following statement:
“Our priority is always the safety and well-being of our community and our officers. We understand the concerns raised by this incident, and we take them seriously. The decision to suspend the officers reflects our commitment to accountability and maintaining public trust. At the same time, we stand by the men and women of this department who are placed in difficult situations every day. We will continue to support our officers with training and guidance to ensure they can perform their duties safely and effectively. Our goal is to learn from this and move forward together as a stronger department and community.”
Attorneys representing McAlpin have previously filed a claim with the city seeking damages for using excessive force.
In response to the chief’s announcement, Jesse Showalter, McAlpin’s attorney, said:
“It’s disappointing, but consistent with the City of Phoenix’s failure to respond to problems within the Phoenix Police Department.”
The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association President Darrell Kriplean issued a statement after the announcement of the officers’ unpaid suspension which reads in part:
“We are appalled by the determination made by Interim Chief Sullivan to suspend the three officers involved in the McAlpin case. A situation that was previously reviewed internally by subject matter experts of the Force Evaluation and Review Unit and deemed to be within policy has suddenly been reversed due to public pressure, based on biased media reporting.”
The statement said the officers have a “right to defend themselves against attack” and the statement alleges the three department supervisors involved were investigated and exonerated for failing to supervise in connection with the same incident.
“We support accountability when there is actual wrongdoing, but disciplining officers solely because it aligns with public opinion, rather than fact, is wrong and morally corrupt. Our officers deserve better than the current leadership at Phoenix PD,” the statement said. “Interim Chief Sullivan’s inability to defend his officers is shameful and pathetic. We stand behind our officers and thank the men and women of the Phoenix Police Department for their service to our community.”
RELATED: A video shows Phoenix police punching, shocking a deaf Black man with cerebral palsy.
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