PHOENIX — Three Phoenix Police officers have been suspended for their actions during the controversial 2024 arrest of Tyron McAlpin, a deaf Black man with cerebral palsy, the department announced Tuesday.
Each officer received a 24-hour unpaid suspension for choking, punching, and using a Taser on McAlpin during the incident. Two of the officers must also complete de-escalation training.
“We understand the concerns raised by this incident and take them seriously,” said Interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan. “These suspensions reflect our commitment to accountability and public trust.”
The Phoenix Law Enforcement Association (PLEA) pushed back against the discipline, calling the suspensions a response to “biased media reporting” and public pressure. PLEA argued that the department’s Force Evaluation and Review Unit had previously cleared the officers’ actions.
What happened to Tyron McAlpin?
McAlpin, 34, was arrested August 19, 2024, after officers acted on false information provided by a white man. Body camera footage shows officers immediately confronting McAlpin in a parking lot near Indian School Road and 12th Street—one officer tased him, placed him in a chokehold, and punched him multiple times in the head.
The arresting officer later testified that the encounter might have been avoided if McAlpin had indicated he was deaf. McAlpin’s attorney, Jesse Showalter, said his client did nothing to provoke the violent response.
McAlpin spent 24 days in jail before charges were dropped and he was released with help from The Bail Project and his legal team.
“This department must learn from this,” Sullivan said. “We are committed to improving and moving forward together as a community.”
