I was shocked, appalled, disgusted and angry when I saw the video of the
quadriplegic man in Tampa, Florida who was throw off of his wheelchair by a
Sheriff's deputy from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department. This
story has sent shockwaves through the disability community. This man was
not doing anything to cause a disturbance after being arrested for a traffic
violation. That didn't stop Deputy Charlette Jones from lifting up the handles
on the wheelchair dumping victim Brian Sterner, sending him crashing to the ground. Mr. Sterner then was sprawled out on the
floor humiliated and in pain as the Deputy frisked him.
Her reason for dumping Sterner - she didn't believe that he needed
the wheelchair.
Although disability awareness, rights and protection have come a long way in
the last few decades, Deputy Jones reminds us all that many people, including
those in a high position of power and authority, have much to learn. She has
now been relieved of her duties pending the investigation. However, this
incident goes a long way to show the horrible treatment that some members of
the disability community are forced to endure on a regular basis. Thankfully,
those in charge of the Hillsborough Sheriff's office are condemning the
incident.
According to the article, "Chief Deputy Joe Docobo watched the video
for the first time last night and said he found himself in "disgust"
and was "appalled at every level." Docobo also announced that
two corporals and a sergeant involved are now on administrative leave with pay,
and the jail supervisor on duty did not have knowledge of the incident."
"Sterner said the whole incident was incredibly degrading and an example
of how poorly trained the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is. He added
that if they’re trying to figure out if somebody needs to be in a
wheelchair or not, there are many other ways to do it than to dump
somebody on their face."
There is a video of the incident, which was captured from the police station
surveillance cameras. You can watch the full video here.
Here are a couple of screen shots from the video:
Update 2/13: Brian is able to drive a car using hand controls. He was
ticketed for obstructing an intersection. Additionally, he was not arrested for
the traffic violation, but rather for missing his court date - which he
acknowledges and takes responsibility for. Deputy Jones had asked Sterner to
stand up at the booking desk shortly before the incident occurred. According to
Sterner, "I informed her at least two or three times that I couldn’t stand
up because I was a quadriplegic." Sterner also relates that, to date, he
has not received a personal apology from neither Deputy Jones nor anybody in the
Sheriff's office. (Source)
Update 2/13: Chief Deputy Jose Docobo said in a press conference, "The best I could do is offer
him our apologies, There's no excuse. This is indefensible. To the extent that we can
make it right for this gentleman, we'll attempt to do so." (Source)
Update 2/13: Deputy Jones has not been officially terminated (Source)
Update 2/13: Sterner spent five nights in jail. He posted a $2,000 bail. Sterner was initially stopped by police for driving 5 mph in a 30 mph zone, while waving his arms around
inside his car. (Source)
Update 2/14: No member of the Sheriff's
office had filed a report prior to a local Tampa jounralist uncovering the
story after being alerted by Sterner (Source)
Update 2/14: The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office declined to be
interviewed alongside Sterner and his attorney on NBC's Today Show. (Source)
Update 2/14: "It's not about race. It's not about a wheelchair. It can
happen to anybody, anytime. Hopefully that's what will come out of this - that
this negative way of dealing with life and people will change." -
Brian Sterner (Source)
Update 2/14: Sterner's attorney John Trevino said he spoke with the Sherriff who
intends to refer the case to the state attorney for review. (Source)
Update 2/14: "It's not about one deputy. It's not about a Sheriff. It's
not about a governor. It's about this ridiculous, ridiculous downpression of
people across the world. It happens to people every day, it's just that now
there (are) cameras to catch it." - Brian Sterner (Source)
Update 2/14:
Attorney General Bill McCollum today released the following
statement regarding the case of the Hillsborough detention deputy who
tossed a quadriplegic from his wheelchair:
"I have viewed the video of Mr. Sterner's treatment, and I am
appalled by the situation which so clearly unfolded in these images. I
have forwarded the evidence to my Office of Civil Rights for our
immediate review, and I have asked the director of the office to take the appropriate action.
"We have been in communication with the sheriff and have been assured of his full support and cooperation." (Source)
Update 2/18: Deputy Charlotte Jones has been charged with one count of felony abuse of a disabled person. She posted $3500 bail and was released. If convicted, Deputy Jones faces 5 years in prison. (Source)
Update 2/20: Deputy Jones has resigned from her position from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (Source)
Update 2/22: "Norman Cannella, a Tampa attorney who is representing Marshall-Jones,
said she would offer her explanation for the incident if the case went
to court. As for the charges, Cannella said he felt Hillsborough
Sheriff David Gee was "rushing" in his investigation and that the
charges seemed motivated by "emotion more than anything else.'" (Source)
This story has taken the disability community by storm. There are many
discussions about this incident happening on Disaboom right now. Here is what
people are saying:
Discussions:
Blogs:
Brian Sterner Dumped from Wheelchair by Tampa Police
ON FOX NEWS TODAY: Deputy dumps man in wheelchair on the ground
