Training Law Enforcement On How to Approach People With Disabilities - News Feed

Young Disabled Black Man Gets Tasered and Punched

A disabled black man, Tyron McGilven, who had cerebral palsy and is deaf, was assaulted by a police officer who didn’t stop to check to see if the disabled man was deaf or not. The police officer just punched Tryon ten times and tasered him, not once, but four times. If I were a police officer, I would never go and just attack somebody like a bulldog. I would first talk to them, and it’s pretty noticeable when you speak to somebody, and they don’t talk back to you, that they are deaf. 

Quadriplegic Gets Arrested 

On May 1 this year, an officer arrested a quadriplegic man and artist, El Valien-T, in Southwest Miami Dade for ramming a police car with his wheelchair. The case went to court, and even the judge said, “I have truly never seen a case like this.” If a judge says something like that, then that should say we need more officers with more training in the area of special needs.

Autistic Teenage Isaiah Dies After 10 Days in Prison

Teenager Isaiah, who had autism, was arrested and died in an Ohio jail after ten days. During one of those days, he was pounding on the glass door to be let out. Instead, an officer came to the door and said, “You're gonna go in there for ten hours the next time you do go in there.” whatever that means, perhaps the hole. Isaiah responded, “I’m not going in there!.” The officer responded by yelling, “Then have a seat and chill out,” instead when the officer could have helped Isaiah. This is why we need more training out on the field and inside prison systems for those who have special needs. Training is obviously more common in schools because teachers are required to have their certificate/licensure and take special ed courses. Prisons on the other hand, need to have the same training for special needs as well. 

 How Law Enforcement should approach a person with disabilities. 

• Approach cautiously.

• If applicable, check to see whether they have a handicapped parking permit.

• Do not yell because people with disabilities are sensitive to loud sounds.

• Fast-approaching sudden movements can cause people with disabilities to become frightened and or run away.

• Assess whether they have a hard time hearing or speaking (look for signs of pointing at their ears trying to tell you they can’t hear you, or if they have a very hard time speaking).

• Check to see whether they are using a mobility device, hearing device, vision device, speech communication device, or cognitive aids.

• Check their identification.

• Immediately contact a responsible caretaker if there is one.