Phoenix Police Suspended: Racial Profiling Deaf Black Man

Phoenix police suspensions: Justice denied?

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

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Violent TYRON McALPIN Arrest Shocks Phoenix

In August 2024, the streets of Phoenix witnessed yet another disturbing encounter between law enforcement and a Black man. Tyron McAlpin, who is deaf and lives with cerebral palsy, was violently arrested based on false allegations from a White complainant (‘What a Slap In the Face’: Phoenix Cops Suspended…; 3 Phoenix officers disciplined…). This incident wasn’t just an arrest; it felt like a brutal example of “walking while Black,” a reality far too many in our community know intimately.

The horror was captured on bodycam footage. Officers pinned Mr. McAlpin down, punching him over ten times and tasering him four times (3 Phoenix officers disciplined…; 24-Hour Suspension For Officers Who Repeatedly Punched Deaf…). Imagine the terror for a man unable to hear commands, already navigating the world with physical challenges, being subjected to such force. Ultimately, the charges against McAlpin, including felony assault on officers and resisting arrest, were dismissed by Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell in October 2024 (‘What a Slap In the Face’: Phoenix Cops Suspended…; 3 Phoenix officers disciplined…). Significantly, he was never even charged regarding the initial false claims that led to the stop (3 Phoenix officers disciplined…).

Phoenix Police Suspensions: A 24-Hour Insult

Following an internal investigation, the discipline handed down to the officers involved felt like a profound insult to Mr. McAlpin and the community demanding justice. Three Phoenix officers received a mere 24-hour unpaid suspension (‘What a Slap In the Face’: Phoenix Cops Suspended…). This amounts to just three standard 8-hour shifts off without pay – a minimal consequence for the violence inflicted. While two of the officers are also required to undergo de-escalation training, the community questions if this is enough (3 Phoenix officers disciplined…).

Video footage identified two officers as Benjamin Harris and Kyle Sue, with media naming Jorge Acosta as the third (‘What a Slap In the Face’: Phoenix Cops Suspended…; 3 Phoenix officers disciplined…). However, the department officially withheld the names, citing ongoing appeals processes (‘What a Slap In the Face’: Phoenix Cops Suspended…). This lack of immediate transparency, coupled with the light suspensions, certainly deepens the sense of injustice. Many feel this disciplinary action fails to adequately address the severity of the officers’ conduct during the arrest.

Phoenix Racial Profiling: A Pattern of Abuse

The violent arrest of Tyron McAlpin is not an isolated event but rather highlights a deeply concerning pattern within the Phoenix Police Department. A scathing Department of Justice (DOJ) report released in June 2024 confirmed what many in the community have experienced for years (‘What a Slap In the Face’: Phoenix Cops Suspended…; 3 Phoenix officers disciplined…). The report found “overwhelming statistical evidence” of discriminatory policing targeting Black, Hispanic, and Native American residents.

This systemic issue manifests as disproportionate stops, searches, and, tragically, the unjustified use of force documented in the DOJ findings (‘What a Slap In the Face’: Phoenix Cops Suspended…; 3 Phoenix officers disciplined…). The McAlpin case is a stark, personal example of these broader findings. Consequently, seeking accountability, McAlpin has filed a $3.5 million lawsuit against the city and the officers involved, which is currently in the pre-litigation phase (‘What a Slap In the Face’: Phoenix Cops Suspended…). This legal action represents not just one man’s fight but a challenge to the systemic failures that allowed his violent arrest to occur.

Walking While Black: Policing Our Existence

The concept of “Walking While Black” is crucial for understanding incidents like Tyron McAlpin’s arrest. It describes racial profiling where Black folks face excessive scrutiny, suspicion, or police intervention merely for being present in public spaces (There is No Green Book for Walking). This isn’t about actual wrongdoing; it’s about being targeted because of skin color, an extension of the systemic bias also seen in “Driving While Black.” Essentially, our simple presence becomes criminalized.

This isn’t just theory; the data bears it out. For example, during the height of New York City’s “stop-and-frisk” era, Black pedestrians made up over half (50.6%) of those stopped, despite being only about a quarter (25.6%) of the city’s population (Racial Profiling: Definition by ACLU). Similarly, “Biking While Black” highlights discriminatory practices against Black cyclists, seen in disproportionate ticketing in Chicago (There is No Green Book for Walking) and even fatal encounters like Dijon Kizzee’s shooting in Los Angeles (Driving while black – Wikipedia). Therefore, racial profiling by law enforcement means targeting people based on race or ethnicity, not behavior, perpetuating injustice (Racial Profiling: Definition by ACLU).

Community Outrage Over Police Excessive Force

The minimal suspensions for the officers involved in Tyron McAlpin’s arrest have understandably sparked outrage and condemnation. The Phoenix Police Union took a defensive stance, attacking Chief Michael Sullivan as “pathetic” and insisting the officers were “wrongfully disciplined” (Phoenix police officers suspended after sudden arrest…). This reaction starkly contrasts with the sentiments expressed by community advocates.

Andre Miller, NAACP Arizona Vice President, drew parallels between the attack on McAlpin and historical racial injustices like the Emmett Till case, highlighting the agonizingly slow pace of accountability (‘What a Slap In the Face’: Phoenix Cops Suspended…; Phoenix police officers suspended after sudden arrest…). His words resonate deeply, framing this incident not just as a failure of procedure but as part of a long, painful history of racial violence and delayed justice. Thus, the community sees the 24-hour suspension as a “slap in the face,” grossly inadequate for the trauma inflicted upon a vulnerable Black man (‘What a Slap In the Face’: Phoenix Cops Suspended…).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darius Spearman has been a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.