Excessive Force Used By Police When Pulling Over a Local Deaf Man

LuciaDisturbed

LuciaDisturbed

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MNspeak.com - What If He Were Blind?

What If He Were Blind?

Posted December 1, 2006

Doug Bahl. A name you've probably never heard, but he's very well known among the deaf and hard of hearing community. In mid-November, Doug was pulled over by the police. When he reached into his pocket to get his card explaining he's deaf, the cops pepper sprayed him and then beat him. Even worse: he was put in jail and kept there for three days. All because the cops were without an interpreter. Of course this shouldn't happen, but what can be done to keep this from happening again? The interpreters at the school where I teach are mortified and afraid for the deaf/hard of hearing students who drive to and from school everyday. Should we give the cops extra training in sign language? Should there be a special license plate? Beyond that, why is it that most people have not heard about Mr. Bahl and what happened to him?

This is why we (deaf people) are often told, when we are pulled over for whatever reason, to just keep our hands on the wheel, wait for the police to come to the window, and then ask for a paper and pen - reaching into your pocket or wherever your information is at, can make the cop think you've got a gun, and it will make for a very bad situation.

And as for the interpreter situation, the police should have provided one for him.

The police needs to be educated more on how to deal with the deaf. Many cops do not understand how to deal with the deaf such as providing paper and pen, providing an interpreter, etc. Things that should have not happened happens because of miscommunication.
 
I feel so bad for Doug Bahl... :(

The policeman is very too aggressive...
 
Hello,

I have been pulled over quite a few times by the police for speeding. I have always kept my hands on the steering wheel. I point to my ears and imply that I am deaf. Usually, that works.

Half the time, I am let go. Other times, I get a ticket.

It is never a good idea to reach into your pockets or in the armrest for any reason. Normally, the officer will provide (and should) you a pen and paper to write on.

I know that in some cases, officers aren't exactly bright when it comes to communicating with deaf people and misunderstandings do happen.
 
Be careful! :hug: Watch the speed limit and your speedometer! :)
 
There's absolutely no excuse for this kind of thing to happen. :(

I have a friend who keeps a card that identifies her as Deaf in the visor of her car. That way, if she is pulled over by the police, she can pull out the card with her hands always being in full view.
 
It is sad. I know him at high school teacher. I found out in two weeks ago. It was ugly. My friend send me email along pictures. I don't know if was ok post pictures here?.
 
TFWFalcon said:
It is sad. I know him at high school teacher. I found out in two weeks ago. It was ugly. My friend send me email along pictures. I don't know if was ok post pictures here?.
Click to expand...

I would think it is okay to post some pictures in regard to this incident.
 
whoa.. i learned that they told me whenever we get pulled over we are required to keep our hands on wheel and wait till cop come to your window and if he/she talk to you.. u say pointing to your ear meaning u cant hear or understand the officer. they will provide you paper n pen then.. thats all can do.. never go to your pocket or anything like that.. bad idea...

i felt bad for the guy.. i guess he didnt know??? he need to know the routine about this what to do if he get pulled over. but i dont undy why police beat him up? jeez. that is so wrong of them to do that. I hope something will be done about the police. I hope they will apologize to Doug for beating him up. sigh..
 
Gingerbread said:
I dont undy why police beat him up? jeez. that is so wrong of them to do that. I hope something will be done about the police. I hope they will apologize to Doug for beating him up. sigh..
Click to expand...
I agree with you.

If I am a police officer (well I do know that I'll never know if a driver has a gun), I wouldn't react on what a driver's doing. Instead, I'll wait until the driver gets his hands out of the pocket. If I see that he's getting his wallet with all the driver's license and ID, I will educate the driver. But if I see a gun pulling out of driver's pocket, then I will stand back, pull the gun out of a hoister (but not to open fire), asumming that a driver can hear, I'd say "put the gun away and open the door with your hands up." To be in the safe side, I step back to the police car, telling the driver to walk backwards with your hands up, then when it's safe, I can go ahead and cuff them. I can call the backup if I need to.

But I don't know how this will work with those who are deaf.
 
LuciaDisturbed said:
MNspeak.com - What If He Were Blind?

What If He Were Blind?

Posted December 1, 2006

Doug Bahl. A name you've probably never heard, but he's very well known among the deaf and hard of hearing community. In mid-November, Doug was pulled over by the police. When he reached into his pocket to get his card explaining he's deaf, the cops pepper sprayed him and then beat him. Even worse: he was put in jail and kept there for three days. All because the cops were without an interpreter. Of course this shouldn't happen, but what can be done to keep this from happening again? The interpreters at the school where I teach are mortified and afraid for the deaf/hard of hearing students who drive to and from school everyday. Should we give the cops extra training in sign language? Should there be a special license plate? Beyond that, why is it that most people have not heard about Mr. Bahl and what happened to him?

This is why we (deaf people) are often told, when we are pulled over for whatever reason, to just keep our hands on the wheel, wait for the police to come to the window, and then ask for a paper and pen - reaching into your pocket or wherever your information is at, can make the cop think you've got a gun, and it will make for a very bad situation.

And as for the interpreter situation, the police should have provided one for him.

The police needs to be educated more on how to deal with the deaf. Many cops do not understand how to deal with the deaf such as providing paper and pen, providing an interpreter, etc. Things that should have not happened happens because of miscommunication.
Click to expand...

That so sad... That why we should avoid get in trouble like speeding and do not do anything that are supsection!
 
:mad: That pisses me off. Police should go back to the police adecemy and learn how to deal with the deaf people and required to learn sign language like they do with spainsh.
 
Here is pictures.

2.jpg


1.jpg
 
Damn... I feel bad for this guy. BOTh his eyes are black and purple. Geez...:pissed:
 
Oh Fawk...
Break my heart for this man.. really upset..
Police should know better than that... needs learn about Deaf Community!

This man gonna lawsuit against the police for sure!
Police will get huge humiliated!
 
I happen to stumble across Pioneer Press article.. I feel so bad for Doug. I have known him since I was like 8 or 9 years old... Truth to tell, St. Paul Police do poorly with deaf people, but Minneapolis Police do well with Deaf people because they are trained. I did spoke with St. Paul Police Chief Harrington like a year ago or so that his department need more training on dealing with deaf people. Next time I run into him, I will tell him "I heard, and why didn't your department train those guys how to be aware of deaf community?".
 
OMG! Poor Doug! I hope he is okay by now. That really piss me off that cop hurt him! :pissed: I am sure he will do something with police department!

I got pulled over just twice and had no problem. I told the cop that I can't hear but lip read okay. He said ok..took it slow and worked out fine. If I don't understand then I'll have the paper and pen to write on.

I agree with Felix that all police officers should be trained how to deal with deaf and learn ASL.
 
GraysonPeddie said:
Instead, I'll wait until the driver gets his hands out of the pocket. If I see that he's getting his wallet with all the driver's license and ID, I will educate the driver. But if I see a gun pulling out of driver's pocket, then I will stand back, pull the gun out of a hoister (but not to open fire)
Click to expand...

You'd be dead before you even react. The guy's got his gun out and you think you'd be faster in seeing the gun, reaching for your holster, pulling the gun out, and then aiming? Nuh uh. That's why police are paranoid, I mean, the guy's got his hands in his pockets and they CAN'T SEE WHAT HE's DOING. What if instead of pulling out a gun, he just shoots through his jacket?!


Stay in your car, keep your hands on the wheel or in plain view, and if you've got a sign/placard, put it up against the window BEFORE the cop gets out of his car. Communicate only once the cop starts communicating with you.

Stay in your car FOR YOUR OWN PROTECTION. What if it's a fake cop? Make sure the doors are locked and windows are up
 
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