maybe they sould tie the officers hands behind his back and dump her from the wheelchair

Yes, she has been charged with Felony assault of a disabled person. She is facing up to 5 years in jail. I doubt she will get it, but that is the possible punishment.

But at least it will be on her record - and she won't be able to hold a position of authority again.

I saw a suggestion of dumping her from a wheelchair - I think if we started to punish people with the same things that they did to others (an eye for an eye) our crime rate would go way down. You slam someone's head into a wall - hey, if it was good enough for them then it's good enough for you! I know it will never happen but it's nice to think that it could!

She had 22 years of law enforcement experience, prior to her arrest and subsequent resignation. ell me she didn't know better. Three other people remain under investigation.

I watched the whole film. I'm glad I don't live in Tampa Bay anymore.

MrsB I agree trial by media is never good. We have only seen what the media has wanted us to see but with that said the deputy should have walked away no matter if the wheelchair man was taunting her...I also agree sensitivity training is in great need with law enforcement agencies all across America.

Sending her to jail...she will receive solitary confinment for her duration in jail because if you place her in general population the prisoners will KILL her...is that justice? Does that justice fit the crime? I AGREE fully that she deserves punishment. When the judge makes his ruling he will take into consideration the crime committed as well as all options of punishment to ensure she pays a price for her actions but also making sure that price is not the ultimate price.

Well, undoubtedly the system will work its way through.

My heart goes out to everyone concerned and I hope that mercy prevails for all.

In this country, it is highly unlikely that the policewoman would go to jail unless the 'victim' was seriously injured, and even then it would be unlikely. She would probably lose her job, however, and may be fined or sentenced to community service if she was convicted. A lot would depend on her past experience and record of work.

I totally agree with you.

Dear Silverlining,

I looked at your blog and can see where you are coming from.

There is much wanton cruelty in the world. I don't know where one begins to address it all. The vulnerable are many: the people with disabilities you mention on your blog are some. Homeless people, women and children who experience sexual assault and domestic violence, the poor, people who subscribe to particular religious beliefs, gay men and women - the list is terrifyingly endless.

I think each one of has to decide how we act. And society enacts laws to guide how people act as well as to punish them. In this case, there was no murder, and the woman concerned has been charged. There are different levels of crime. Murder or serious physical assault should always be punished according to the law and circumstances of the crime. The law differs according to the nature and circumstance of each crime, however.

I work in disability policy as well as having a number of disabilities myself. My job is to help ensure that the organisation in which I work provides access and fairness to people with a disability. To do that we have to work constantly in making people without disabilities aware and mindful of the needs and rights of those who have.

That is all we can do. Educate people in an ongoing way and act with kindness ourselves.

In other workplaces in my life I experienced extreme harrassment as well but it was because of personal life choices, not because I have a disability. I just wish sometimes the world was a better place. We can change our immediate worlds, however.


My best wishes.


.

My son is a police officer and he was very disturbed by this incident. He can be tough when needed but he has a compassion for people that I believe helps him in his position. Now, criminals will try to play upon that compassion but he has learned that he can be compassionate with a person's circumstances but still insist that they abide by the law.

Like he says, there is no reason to torment or ridicule a person he has taken into custody just for the mere fact that he "can". He can insist that they answer for their crime but he can remain professional while doing his job. Doesn't mean that he agrees with what they did or even feels sorry for them individually - but he feels like he is helping any victims of the incident by keeping his cool and being as professional and fair as he can be.

Law enforcement is under constant scrutiny - and like my son says - as long as you do the right and lawful thing you don't need to worry about whether or not you're on camera or not. He keeps his dashboard cam on each and every time he makes a traffic stop and doesn't turn it off until the car he stopped drives away.

You gotta CYA whatever job you have - he just has to make sure that his is documented.....

Mrs. Backyard:

You said:

hat is all we can do. Educate people in an ongoing way and act with kindness ourselves.

In other workplaces in my life I experienced extreme harrassment as well but it was because of personal life choices, not because I have a disability. I just wish sometimes the world was a better place. We can change our immediate worlds, however."

I think this is one of the most profound statements I have ever read. It nails everything right on the head.

I believe that Deputy was having a really bad day. People who can do this to another human being, well, they are capable of going home, and if their dog is in the wrong place and the wrong time, they will kick their dog. They act on impulses. This woman who dumped the guy, well she was acting on her impulses. She really needs to be in some kind of anger management course or something.

I especially liked that you wrote that people should be kind to each other. I try and do this every single day, because who wants grumpy, mean people around you. My husband had an operation the other day. I spent much of that afternoon sitting across the chair facing an 84 year old holocaust survivior. All she wanted was someone to listen to. She had diabetic neuropathy and her feet were on fire. I kept saying to myself "My god, this woman was in the holocaust and now her feet are on fire???" Doesn't seem fair sometimes. But I listened and held her hand. Her daughter looked worse than she did because of all the worrying.

When they left, do you know that they hugged me and thanked me for being kind to their 84 year old mother. If you think about it, what exactly did I do?? I just listened and held someone's hand and they felt a bit better. No magic bullets, just compassion.

I don't think the human race is born with compassion. I think it's an evolving, learning experience that often comes with maturity. Too bad a kid isn't born with it naturally. Maybe some are but often we are not.

That deputy screwed up a 22 year career because she made such a bad decision. I can only imagine that she's hitting herself over the head because she did such a thing.

I hope that the sheriff's office implements some kind of anger managment de-stressing program that will offer their employees a chance to chill out for a few minutes during the day.

In Japan, they take yoga breaks and they take time out for themselves. They REALLY KNOW HOW TO DE-STRESS.

Just wanted to share my opinion.

Good post on your part, my dear.