A legal battle has emerged in Arizona as the family of a teenager has taken action against the Phoenix Police Department. They allege that officers caused physical harm to the teen by breaking his wrist and injuring his chin, all while advising his father to resort to physical discipline.

Attorneys for Sergio Nino III have initiated a lawsuit against the department and three officers involved, based on an incident that transpired in January 2024. The boy’s father had contacted the police due to concerns over his son’s refusal to relinquish his phone and consistent school absences. He also mentioned his son’s mental health challenges during the call.

The lawsuit claims that the officers encouraged the father to physically discipline his son, reportedly advising, “If you wish to beat him, beat him. If you wish to belt him, belt him,” and suggesting that the son had rights only “from the government” and none from his father.

Furthermore, the lawsuit details that the officers advised the father to treat his son harshly, allegedly stating, “If he’s gonna treat you like garbage, you treat him like garbage. Throw him out on the streets.”

The situation escalated when the father led the officers to his son’s room, where they instructed the teen to step into the hallway. According to the lawyers representing the plaintiff, the officers then began to “harass and demean him” immediately upon his exit from the room.

Nino accused his father of abusing him but the officers weren’t having it, the lawsuit said. One of the officers allegedly justified the teen’s father abusing him, saying Sergio was “acting like a little brat.”

“You have no rights,” another officer allegedly said. “Your dad should beat you.”

Officers threatened to detain Nino and take his phone because he was “being a little brat,” according to the lawsuit. They also allegedly said that Nino’s father can “do any discipline he wants to you.” Nino started filming and an officer allegedly snatched his phone. After Nino reached for it, the officers “attacked” him and “pummeled” the teen to the ground, causing a laceration on his chin “from which blood splattered all over the scene,” the suit stated.

Police took Nino to the hospital where it was discovered he suffered a fractured wrist that required surgery, his lawyers claim.

“To this day, Sergio’s daily life has been limited by his wrist injury. Sergio continues to suffer from the injuries, the medical expenses, and their impact on his life,” the plaintiffs said. “There was no imminent threat to the officers’ safety when they used excessive force on Sergio, a non-violent and unarmed minor, who had merely reached for his phone in a non-aggressive manner.”

Cops initially arrested Nino for aggravated assault on a police officer and resisting arrest, but the charges were later dropped.

Phoenix police declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation.

The lawsuit, filed Oct. 27 in the Superior Court of Arizona, accuses the officers of excessive force and battery. It is seeking $500,000.

“This case is not just about excessive force,” attorney Larry J. Wulkan said in a press release. “It is about Phoenix Police officers silencing a teenager for exercising his First Amendment right to record them inside his own home. They told his father to abuse him and then brutalized Sergio. That is not law enforcement; it is unconstitutional abuse of power.”