FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - St. Jude patient in bloody takedown at checkpoint
Old Aug 19, 2016, 5:42 am
  #281  
flyerCO
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Originally Posted by theddo
Funny story. How is that relevant to the interaction between the Memphis police department and a disabled girl?

Let me say that again: MEMPHIS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
First off it's the Memphis Airport Police which are legally separate and don't report to MPD.

Next police are legally required to be able to handle those with disabilities. This means understanding that a person who's deaf and blind on one side, and has suffered brain issues isn't just grabbed. The girl didn't start fighting until the officer suddenly grabbed her. How would you react if someone grabs you suddenly from behind where you have no way of knowing that it's about to happen? I highly doubt you would have reacted much differently at first. You then would have been able to calm down since you have a full functioning brain. The girl doesn't, the mother tries to explain that and the officer pushes her away.

As for being onboard, unless the FA's have started a new procedure I don't think that grabbing passengers is part of their job description. Thus, the whole issue about freaking out on the plane is pointless.

Bottom line, the girl is fine, until the officer suddenly grabs the girl without warning or consideration of her disabilities. She might not have understood fully what was happening, but only became agitated when the office grabs her.

Finally for those saying they know how she should act, unless you've lived/worked with a disabled person you don't. Just like we get arm-chair lawyers/pilots every time there's a legal/aviation issue, we get arm-chair disability specialists that know how a disabled person "should" act. You may not like that with these disabilities they're allowed to fly, however Congress has determined in a civilized country like the US, that we allow those with disabilities the same things as those without.
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