For one I would probably fight back - just going to be natural instinct to fight back if your'e getting pounded for no appearent reason. This would be the case for anyone - hearing or deaf.
second - I would make the police issue a public statement and apology and ask that the officer be suspended indefinitely without pay or at least he completed a course on dealing with deaf individuals who may not respond to vocal commands.
Third - like pek1 - I would make this leak out to the media so that everyone in all jurisdictions get the opportunity to learn from the mistake. I would not try to publicly crucify the officer - it sounds like it was an honest mistake and poor judgement.
Fourth - ask the police to pay me resistution and damages including but not limited to my medical bills and any lost-time wages for any work missed.
LAst but not least - use the opportunity to give LEOs (Law Enforcement Officers) the REQUIREMENT on how to deal with deaf/HOH civilians who may or may not be suspects of crime. And obviously deafness is not appearent - its a hidden handicap - so LEOs should start making a visual effort to stop the person before pouncing on them like lions.
Also - perhaps there is something the deaf can do to help the situation - wear a bracelet or necklace similar to the medical alert tags that diabetics wear to alert them to their condition. Instead it would be blue and have the Deaf accessibility symbol on it.
I too have encountered a similar situation but it was taken care of at the scene. I was driving on 22 from Dardanelle headed south. I had been driving for 3 hours from Stuttgart and had just gotten off the interstate. When I got on the 2 lane roads I was not paying attention to my speed and I was going 70 in a 55 mph zone (my mistake). I happened to look into my rearview mirror and saw blue lights so I pulled over at the safest spot - a church parking lot. I stopped the vehicle and turned it off and started digging for my insurance card and registration. The officer came up and had his hand on the glock - and said - put your hands up. I was like what?? What did I do officer?
You have been fleeing at 70 mph for the last 5 miles. Why didnt you stop before? I explained to him that I was HOH and apologized for not being more aware. Because I was calm and even allowed him to search my vehicle as he didnt believe me, and he looked at me and said - Now I know you, your'e Mr. T-----'s daughter aren't you?
Yes sir I am.
Well now I believe you - I remember your dad telling us you were born deaf in one ear. I sure am sorry to ruffle your feathers like this ma'am.
Then he helped me to put my stuff back in my truck and let me off with a warning instead of a ticket.
It was nervewracking to say the least but I think what helped the situation was that I was calm, open and honest about it, instead being combative.
A week later I received an apology card from the officer in the mail.
