Colorado: Woman with disabilities allegedly attacked by off-duty Aurora police officer files lawsuit against city
This story is an example of when even off-duty police feel entitled to abuse disabled bodies. “A new lawsuit filed on behalf of a woman who was allegedly attacked by an off-duty Aurora police officer says the department has a pattern and practice of officers using excessive force. Wyoma Martinez was left badly beaten outside of her […]
Tyre Nichols, who had Crohn’s disease, should be alive.
From Buzzfeed – Tyre Nichols Had Crohn’s Disease. His Mother Disputed That It Would Take Five Police Officers To Subdue Him “Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune condition that causes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract; common symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, fatigue, bloating, and blood in the stool — many of which can contribute […]
Canada: Investigative delay hits two years for Little Red River Cree Nation youth who claims head injury from Edmonton police
“Pacey Dumas was hospitalized with a severe head injury on Dec. 9, 2020, which required doctors to remove a section of his skull. In a lawsuit, Dumas and his family say the injury was caused by an Edmonton Police Service officer. He was 19 at the time of the incident.” Reporting from the Edmonton Journal: […]
Porter Burks
Detroit: Burks, 22, diagnosed with schizophrenia, was experiencing a mental health crisis Oct. 2 when his family called the police, asking for help. Body-camera footage from a crisis intervention team (CIT) officer on hand shows Burks standing in the middle of the street while officers offer him help several times and ask him to put the knife […]
Alabama said prison strike was ‘under control.’ Footage shows system in deadly disarray.
Amidst ongoing mental health crisis, delays in AL DOC construction of new correctional facilities includes 4,000-bed prison for disabled inmates with specialized needs, such as psychiatric, cancer and cardiac care. Then on 9/26, a prison strike across From the Montgomery Advertiser and The Marshall Project: “The strike started Sept. 26 after thousands of prisoners refused […]
Boulder County Jail inmate with psychiatric disability sues deputies shown punching, kicking him in video
From Boulder’s Daily Camera, Amy Bounds reports on jail staff responding to behavioral challenges with brutality:“During the April 4 incident captured on the body camera, Termin was alone in a locked room when he spit on the window as deputy Taylor walked by, Jurdem said. Taylor responded by bringing in two other officers and repeatedly […]
Support for Police Reform Increasing in North Carolina
(Pasquotank, NC) Andrew Brown was fatally shot by police on April 21st. Brown was killed in his car by deputies who were serving a warrant for his arrest. Since the shooting, protestors have gathered in the streets of Elizabeth City everyday for the past 40 nights. Since the shooting of Andrew Brown, North Carolina residents […]
Teenager with Disabilities Assaulted by Police
Adam Wolf says his son, a 17-year old with autism and ADHD, was assaulted by a Californian officer. The officer was responding to a report of a possible assault and believed Wolf’s son was the suspect. “The officer asked the suspect to sit down, which he did. When the police officer took out his handcuffs, […]
Use of Force is Wrong Response to Mental Health
“State and local governments should end the use of police to respond to incidents involving people experiencing mental health crises and instead implement non-coercive, supportive interventions. This can include response teams designed to connect, build rapport, and de-escalate stressful situations. Investment in communities, including accessible, affordable mental health services and support to address social issues […]
Police Targeting and Killing Minority Groups in Israel
Iyad al-Hallaq was a 31-year-old Palestinian with autism when he was fatally shot by Israel police. Hallaq was unarmed and his peers called him harmless. The shooting was so disturbing that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a tragedy and Defense Minister Benny Gantz issued an apology. Despite this, no charges has been set against the […]