PHOENIX — The Phoenix Police Department has cleared four officers of wrongdoing after they restrained a man face-down on blistering asphalt, causing severe burns across his body. The incident, which took place last summer, remains the subject of an ongoing federal lawsuit.
According to a department statement, the incident was reviewed by the Critical Incident Review Board (CIRB), which included an assistant chief, a commander, a peer officer, and three civilian members. The CIRB determined that the officers’ actions complied with department policy at the time, and the police chief agreed with the findings.
The department added that in February, operational procedures were updated to require officers to consider environmental factors — including surface heat and extreme temperatures — when placing individuals on the ground or near vehicles. When safe and practical, officers are now expected to move individuals to safer locations during arrests or detentions.
Man restrained on 114-degree day
The man involved, Michael Kenyon, was approached by officers on July 6, 2024, near 7th and McKinley streets in central Phoenix. Temperatures that afternoon reached 114 degrees. Surveillance footage captured officers stopping and questioning Kenyon in a parking lot. A physical struggle began, and several officers restrained him on the blacktop for over four minutes.
A bystander recorded part of the incident on a phone, capturing Kenyon pleading: “Please… please… I can’t move. I didn’t do anything.”
Kenyon was not charged with any crime related to the encounter but sustained extensive burns to his face, arms, chest, and legs. He was hospitalized for more than a month at the Maricopa County Burn Center, undergoing multiple painful procedures, including skin grafts. His injuries left permanent scars and limited mobility, particularly in his arms.
Chunks of flesh are now missing from above both knees, according to the civil lawsuit filed on Kenyon’s behalf.
Mistaken identity
Kenyon has said he believes the officers stopped him due to a misunderstanding involving his roommate, who had reported a theft at their shared residence across the street. Investigators later confirmed Kenyon was not involved in the theft.
The case remains under litigation in federal court, where Kenyon is seeking accountability and compensation for the injuries he sustained.
