In a tense and dramatic sequence of events, a suspect who had recently been released from jail was tased and arrested after firing a shot at Phoenix police officers. The incident, captured on camera, has sparked public debate about police conduct and the effectiveness of current policies.

The suspect, Harry Denman, was just days out of jail when he encountered Phoenix police officers on Peachtree Street. According to police reports, Denman fired at the officers unprovoked. The officers, responding to the immediate threat, repeatedly ordered Denman to show his hands and comply with their commands.

Body camera footage reveals the intense moments leading up to Denman’s arrest. The officers can be heard shouting, “Put your hands out. Pull your hands out. Put your hands up, hands, hands, hands. Right now, hands.”

Denman, walking into the intersection, appears to ignore the commands. Officers continue to issue warnings: “Stop, or I’ll tase you.” The situation escalates as Denman fails to comply, prompting the officers to use a Taser to subdue him.

The officers approach cautiously, aware of the potential danger and the risk of crossfire. “Watch your crossfire,” one officer warns. As they move in, they repeatedly instruct Denman to give them his hands. The chaotic scene ends with Denman being handcuffed and detained.

“Okay, we got nothing. I’m out,” an officer is heard saying after the suspect is secured. Despite the high tension, no officers or bystanders were injured during the incident.

This incident occurs amid ongoing discussions about police use of force in Phoenix. The police department has been actively seeking public input to update its core principles and use of force policies. Community leaders, like Janelle Wood of Black Mothers Forums, have been advocating for changes to improve de-escalation tactics and reduce the use of profanity by officers.

Janelle Wood remarked, “It’s very difficult for an entity to change itself from the inside, so those of us from the outside have to come in and be a part of that.”

The Phoenix Police Department has not yet disclosed details on who will review the public input or when the finalized policy will be available. However, the community’s involvement in shaping these policies is a significant step toward enhancing transparency and accountability.

While the grand jury decided not to indict Officers Eddie Becerra and Nicholas Beck on felony charges related to this incident, the internal investigation remains ongoing. This case underscores the complexities and challenges of law enforcement, especially in situations involving potentially dangerous suspects. The outcome of the policy review and public input process will be crucial in determining how such incidents are handled in the future.

In the wake of this incident, the Phoenix community continues to push for meaningful reforms to ensure safer and more effective policing practices.