A Phoenix cop is back on patrol after he was fired for using “excessive force.”

Four months ago, the police chief terminated Officer Kevin McGowan for kicking out a suspect’s teeth.

McGowan appealed and on Thursday, the city’s Civil Service Board voted to reinstate him.

The incident in question was all caught on surveillance video. It shows McGowan using what’s called a “kick-strike” to restrain and handcuff 18-year-old, Patrick D’Labik, who says he was a victim of police brutality.

“I didn’t really feel it at first. I just tasted blood,” he says. “Then, as soon as I spit, I realized my teeth was out.”

The officer says he just wanted to question the teen, who was spotted with a possible murder suspect. But, D’Labik admitted to ABC15 he took off because he had weed in his pocket and he didn’t want to go to jail.

The officer says he was forced to use excessive measures because the teen wasn’t listening to his commands.

In a police interrogation video, McGowan is heard telling investigators, “At a certain point, I couldn’t see his hands. So, I took a strike to his shoulder so I could control his hand and take him into custody.”

McGowan’s supporters say the 43-second footage doesn’t show the entire story and the Civil Service Board was right to consider all the elements of the case.

Of course, the incident highlights an emerging issue facing officers, who are increasingly scrutinized by smartphones, body cameras and security videos. Even dramatic video footage from this incident proves these situations can be subject to interpretation.

But, this may not be over. Reportedly, the case could be reopened.

Phoenix Police Officer Timothy Morris

UPDATE @ 6/28/2015 12:18 PM: During a press conference on Saturday, Sgt. Jonathan Howard, speaking on behalf of the Phoenix Police Department, said he was “for the first time, embarrassed” to be giving a statement about the conduct of one of its officers.

Former officer Timothy Morris has admitted to the misconduct he was accused of. The officer forced a woman to perform a sex act on him while she was in handcuffs. The Phoenix Police Department was quick to distance themselves from the officer, who called his behavior a “gross deviation of our expectations.”

A video of the conference, courtesy of AZCentral, is available below:

PHOENIX — A Phoenix police officer was arrested Saturday for allegedly kidnapping and assaulting a 23-year-old woman.

Officer Timothy Morris, 40, was reported Friday to police by a woman who says he had engaged in sexual contact with her early that morning while serving a misdemeanor arrest warrant. The woman says after Morris assaulted her, he let her go without arresting her.

Police arrived at Morris’s home and arrested him, charging him with sexual assault and kidnapping. The arrest appears to have occurred without incident.

Later, while being questioned, Morris resigned from his position as an officer with the Phoenix Police Department.

Chief of Police Joseph Yahner gave the following statement in a release intended for the press:

The Phoenix Police Department took immediate action when this incident was brought to our attention. We responded quickly and decisively to ensure public trust and confidence. We hold our officers accountable to the highest standards. In addition to initiating the criminal investigation, the Phoenix Police Department began an internal investigation to address Officer Morris’s employment status however he resigned. I am extremely disappointed in the actions of Mr. Morris, the Phoenix Police Department will continue to hold its officers to the highest standards to ensure the trust and confidence of the community we serve.

A fired Phoenix police detective is asking for his job back in the wake of an investigation into alleged police brutality.

“I just tasted the blood,” said 18-year-old Patrick D’Labik, remembering the moment Detective Kevin McGowan stomped D’Labik’s back, sending his face into a convenience store floor.

“As soon as I spit, I realized my teeth was out,” D’Labik said.

McGowan told police internal affairs investigators that he stomped D’Labik’s back because he was not obeying commands.

The incident, in late December of last year, began when McGowan stopped D’Labik, who was walking near 38th Street and McDowell Rd.

McGowan wanted to ask D’Labik if he had any information about a homicide suspect.

D’Labik, who feared the officer would discover the marijuana in his pocket, ran.

McGowan caught up with D’Labik in a convenience store. A surveillance video without audio shows McGowan, gun drawn, approaching D’Labik. D’Labik, who had his hands up, begins to get on the ground.  When he is in a “push up” position, McGowan stomps him in the upper back. That sent D’Labik’s face into the floor. He lost several teeth.

“There was no need for it at all,” D’Labik said. “It makes me angry and it still makes me angry.”

The Phoenix Police Department fired McGowan, a decision the detective is appealing through the City’s Civil Service Board.

A Phoenix police spokesman released the following statement:

The use of excessive force will not be tolerated by the Phoenix Police Department, but because this case is currently being appealed we cannot discuss the specifics and will respect the civil service process.”

McGowan’s personnel file shows that the department hired him in late 1997.  Of a handful of complaints against him, only one was substantiated.  He received a written reprimand after shoving a citizen in 2013 after the citizen got in his “personal space.

McGowan’s attorney released this statement:

Officer McGowan is a decorated 17-year veteran of the Department. He earned dozens of commendations and has no significant prior discipline. The video obtained by the media does not show the complete series of events related to this detention/arrest.

The entirety of this incident, including the video, was reviewed by an independent expert and by a panel of attorneys at the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

These reviews resulted in a determination that no crime was committed by Officer McGowan. Officer McGowan filed an appeal of his termination and is looking forward to being reinstated to complete his career with the Phoenix Police Department.

Officer McGowan will not be giving any interviews related to this incident, and this will be the only statement he will give related to this matter, as his appeal is currently pending before the Civil Service Board.