Over at Cato’s Police Misconduct web site, we have selected the worst case for the month of August. This one goes to the City of Phoenix and its police agent, Kevin McGowan.


Here’s the background. Patrick D’Labik, age 18, admits that he ran away from the police. He ran because he said he had a bag of marijuana in his pocket and he didn’t want to go to jail. Phoenix police officer Kevin McGowan caught up with D’Labik in a convenience store and the store had security cameras that captured the encounter. Officer McGowan has his gun pointed at D’Labik, who was on his phone with his father, but who then quickly raises his hands in surrender. As D’Labik is getting on the ground, Officer McGowan kicks him. The force was so great that several teeth are knocked out.


In response to a complaint about excessive force, police commanders review the security camera footage and conclude the kick was unjustifiable. McGowan loses his job with the police department.


But wait, Officer McGowan is now back on the force, patrolling the streets of Phoenix. Turns out his termination was overturned by the Civil Service Board.


Here is security footage from the store: