PHOENIX (3TV / CBS 5) – A former Phoenix rookie police officer accused of handcuffing a man reportedly threatened to “hit his ass,” according to newly released court documents. 23-year-old Connor Orth-Smith responded on July 16 at around 6.45 p.m. at the Banner Estrella Hospital to help with hospital security. Orth-Smith was asked to help a man struggling with security. Documents state that the victim asked Orth-Smith to be taken to a nearby Community Bridges mental hospital facility. The victim was handcuffed and placed in the back of Orth-Smith’s vehicle. Phoenix Police detectives arrested a novice police officer who allegedly assaulted a man who was handcuffed. While Orth-Smith was driving the victim to the facility, he reportedly changed his mind and asked Orth-Smith to take him elsewhere. A body-worn camera could be heard as the victim argued with Orth-Smith about where he wanted to be dropped off. Orth-Smith said, “Then I’ll kick you out of this car and hit your a **.” Police papers say Orth-Smith stopped his squad car near 99th Avenue and McDowell Road to drop the victim in a dirt yard and said, “You can either get out of my car easily or get your A ** punch . ” Orth-Smith got out, opened the rear passenger door to where the victim lay on the floorboard, and asked for help. Orth-Smith tried to get the victim out but became difficult according to court records and refused to get off because he wanted to be dropped off elsewhere. According to the paperwork, Orth-Smith “aggressively” pulled the victim out, causing him to fall out and hit his head on the floor. Orth-Smith removed the handcuffs and told the victim to go. Orth-Smith was about to leave, but he and the victim began to exchange words when the victim “aggressively” stepped behind Orth-Smith. Court records say Orth-Smith turned and hit the victim several times in the face with a closed fist. Orth-Smith also pushed the victim to the ground and tried to handcuff him again. The victim grabbed Orth-Smith’s legs, causing Orth-Smith to hit the victim several more times. After the victim was released, Orth-Smith handcuffed him again. Orth-Smith waited for reinforcements and laid the victim on his stomach on the floor. While the two waited, the victim reportedly started kicking. Orth-Smith held the victim by the back of the head with his right hand and put his left hand over the victim’s handcuffed behind his back. Police say the victim grabbed Orth-Smith in his fingers and Orth-Smith told him to let go. Orth-Smith is said to have hit the victim several times with the forearm. A second officer arrived and tied the victim’s legs with a pull-tab. Two more officers arrived and the four officers tried to put the victim in a patrol car, but he refused to cooperate. Police said the victim was on his knees next to the patrol car at the time, his hands handcuffed behind his back and his legs tied. The victim was able to grab Orth-Smith, who was standing behind him, by the pants and refused to let go of her. Orth-Smith hit the victim’s head with his right palm, causing his head to hit the side of the seat in the patrol car, according to documents of concerns seen in body-worn cameras during the arrest. At the same time, an internal review of the incident is being carried out, the police said. Orth-Smith was arrested on Friday July 23rd and is charged with three counts of grievous bodily harm. Orth-Smith joined the department in May 2020 after graduating from the Phoenix Regional Police Academy. Orth-Smith was hired to patrol the Maryvale-Estrella Mountain Precinct in November of that year. The department says Orth-Smith has since resigned. Arizona’s family has requested the body-worn camera videos relating to the incident. Copyright 2021 KPHO / KTVK (KPHO Rundfunkgesellschaft). All rights reserved.
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