BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — A former sergeant with the Daleville Police Department has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for assaulting an inmate at the local jail.
Ryan Phillips, 42, previously pleaded guilty to one count of depriving an arrestee of his civil rights. Phillips admitted that in March 2022, he used unreasonable force against an arrestee during an argument, where he removed his badge and firearm, entered the victim’s jail cell and repeatedly struck him in the upper body and face. The victim suffered several lacerations and bruises to the face and chest as a result of the assault.
“People being held under arrest have the right to be treated humanely and not to be violently assaulted behind bars,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said in a statement. “The defendant disregarded his oath to protect and serve his community, abused his power and violated the victim’s civil rights when he entered that jail cell and repeatedly hit the victim. This sentence should serve as a reminder to all law enforcement that a badge is not a license to answer verbal insults with physical violence and excessive force. The Justice Department will hold accountable officials who violate arrestee’s civil rights.”
“Phillips’ assault not only violated the victim’s constitutional rights, his crime also dishonored his profession,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson for the Middle District of Alabama. “The purpose of this prosecution is not merely to punish Phillips for losing his composure and unlawfully beating an arrestee, this prosecution is also intended to protect the reputation of every honest and hardworking law enforcement officer risking his or her life every day.”