Phoenix Cops Who Assaulted and Arrested Deaf Man with Cerebral Palsy to Face 24-Hour Unpaid Suspensions and Additional Training

On August 19, 2023, a disturbing incident unfolded that left many in the community demanding answers. Three Phoenix police officers aggressively arrested a deaf man with cerebral palsy, Tyron McAlpin, outside a convenience store. This was no isolated incident—it became a national conversation around police use of force, especially on disabled individuals.

Teen Seeks $500K from Police After Officers Told His Father to Assault Him on Bodycam

According to NBC News, officers rushed in after a bystander falsely implicated McAlpin during a fight. As soon as the officers jumped out of their vehicle, body cam footage shows McAlpin being tackled, punched, and hit with a stun gun—despite his visible disability and inability to hear them.

McAlpin was initially hit with serious charges like felony aggravated assault and resisting arrest. But by October, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell dropped all charges after reviewing the case. That decision came after heavy public backlash and the video going viral.

His lawyer didn’t hold back, either. They said any injuries the cops got were “a result of their frenzied and violent attack on Tyron.” That hit hard—and it hit different in a city already struggling with public trust in law enforcement.

Punishment Announced: What’s Really Happening to These Officers?

After a months-long internal investigation, the Phoenix Police Department released a statement confirming that “policy violations” occurred during McAlpin’s arrest. Now, the officers involved are facing what some critics call a slap on the wrist.

All three officers will serve 24-hour unpaid suspensions. Let’s break that down: that’s just three eight-hour workdays without pay. And on top of that, only two of them will be required to take extra de-escalation training.

The department did not release the officers’ names, citing an ongoing appeal process. But interim Police Chief Michael Sullivan spoke on it, saying:

“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.”

While some may see the suspensions and training as a step in the right direction, others believe it’s not enough. In a city where policing is already under scrutiny, this case brought up deeper issues around how officers interact with disabled individuals, especially those from marginalized communities.

The Bigger Picture: Disability, Race, and Policing in America

This story hits at the intersection of disability rights, race, and systemic policing issues in America. Tyron McAlpin, a Black man with both hearing impairment and cerebral palsy, represents a community that is often overlooked and underserved.

While police accountability is a constant conversation, incidents like these amplify just how far we still have to go. Advocates for disability rights and racial justice alike have spoken out, urging for better police training—not just in de-escalation, but in understanding and respecting different abilities.

This ain’t just about one man or three officers—it’s about a system that still treats Black and disabled bodies as threats instead of people.