
Source: Medioimages/Photodisc/Getty
T.This is why many black people are less likely to encourage black parents to enroll their black children in programs run by police officers. Too many possibilities.
In Richmond, Virginia, a mother enrolled her autistic son in a track and field program run by officers from the Richmond Police Department.
Sherria Jackson told 6 News Richmond, “I wanted people to have a positive view of police officers, not just the negative stuff they see on TV.” He said he found him surrounded by police because he had been hanged on the ground.
From 6 News:
She enrolled him in the after-school tennis program at Virginia Commonwealth University. In this program, officers from the Richmond Police Department volunteer through the Richmond Police Athletic League.
However, on November 3rd, Jackson turned up on the tennis court to find his son handcuffed to the ground.
“We ended up going to the VCU emergency room. They diagnosed him with a traumatic concussion,” Jackson said.
According to Jackson, tennis program staff said her son was unhappy with his serve and told him to practice on his side.
Her son said one of the police officers called out to him and he started moving away from her.
“I know he tries to self-adjust and walk away from the situation. She may have thought he was rebellious,” Jackson said.
And, you see, that’s exactly the problem with cops. Too many police officers believe that if an officer’s orders are not immediately followed in any situation, the proper response is to break the handcuffs and use force.— even when dealing with children, especially when dealing with black children.
It’s unclear if the officers involved in the incident knew Jackson’s son had autism, and it’s unclear why he might need to be treated differently because of it. It’s unclear, but it’s clear from Jackson’s recollection of the events that the officer felt her authority had superseded her autism. The well-being of black children and other police officers involved followed suit.
“When I got here, my son was handcuffed on the ground right behind the open fence,” Jackson said. “There was a cop holding his head, a cop on his left leg, someone on his right leg, a cop on his knees with his shoulders down on his right, and another cop standing.”
According to Jackson, Richmond police told her that her son had headbutted an officer while he was in custody.
“Not just for my son, but for anyone, he shouldn’t be treated that way,” she said. “Where’s the training? Are you just going to training and not incorporating it?”
Jackson also said that somehow his son had a concussion and how it happened, just like he doesn’t know why his son was handcuffed, even after multiple attempts to talk to the Richmond police. I said I don’t know.
6 News details:
Jackson said she has spoken to various people at Richmond police on numerous occasions about the incident, but has yet to receive an answer to her questions.
The police report, for which she paid $5, gives no account of the incident.
A Richmond Police spokesperson said there was an ongoing internal investigation and that no further details could be provided at this time.
Meanwhile, Jackson says her son is still dealing with the trauma of the incident. said.
“As soon as I have a concussion, it’s like bang bang bang. Every day I’m like, ‘Oh my god,'” Jackson said.
Fortunately, Jacon’s son was not arrested. VCU police responded to a jammed call involving the boy and Richmond police, but neither the boy nor his parents were at the scene when they arrived.
Still, this should never happen. A cop may not be the best person to run a program like this.
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