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This article and subsequent discussion is about broader issues than the incident involving Dwight Harris and the Metro police officers. But, this incident was the trigger for the article and the discussion.

We obviously don't know all the facts, so I won't weigh in on whether or not Harris assaulted a police officer. I don't know if there were any weapons involved, although Metro's account and the accounts in the media make no reference to Harris having weapons or being suspected of having weapons.

My concern is not whether or not Harris should have been arrested. My concerns are (1) what appears to be an excessive use of force by two standing officers to arrest a man seated in a power wheelchair and (2) the fact that the officers did the two things that even the DOJ strongly advises against in its training materials for police officers interacting with people who use wheelchairs.

First, the officers removed Harris from his wheelchair, which they should never do unless it is absolutely necessary. I will let the facts sort out if it was necessary.

Second, they cuffed him from behind, which really can cause a person in a wheelchair to lose his or her balance and fall forward. The DOJ video recommends cuffing from the front for this reason.

Regardless of who is at fault for what, I don't want to see the police make these same seemingly unnecessary mistakes again when they need to arrest a person who uses a wheelchair.

People with disabilities sometimes break the law and should be held just as accountable as anyone else who breaks the law. No doubt. But, in addition to investigating this case, I think there needs to be some training for the force. I truly never want to see something like this happen again.

Here's the DOJ training resource I mention:
http://www.ada.gov/policevideo/sect2qtbb.htm

by Penny Everline on May 26, 2011 3:38 pm • link • report