A man with Down Syndrome was was badly injured after a confrontation with Miami-Dade Police. His family called it a “shocking” and “unnecessary attack.”
Police said that they thought there was a weapon in the man’s pants. It turns out it was his colonoscopy bag. How did the officer who beat Gilberto Powell, 22, to a pulp respond after he found out? He just asked how he was supposed to know, “I’m not a doctor!”
“The family is very upset and really shocked, to be honest,” said attorney Philip Gold. “They can’t believe that this could have happened, let alone to their their son who is an innocent, sweet individual with Down syndrome.
The report said officers spotted a bulge in Powell’s waist band. They told him to stop so they could pat him down, but this didn’t make any sense to Powell, who then took off running.
The officers then chased and tackled him to the ground, bashing his forehead and delivering blow after blow of their own until he was subdued, and they found out they had beaten him over having a colonoscopy bag.
“The Miami-Dade Police Department continues to investigate the incident involving Mr. Gilberto Powell,” a statement from the department read. “The integrity of the investigation and successful resolution of this case continues to remain our highest priority. As a result, the investigation remains active and ongoing; therefore, we cannot provide additional information at this time.”
Powell and other witnesses claim that police body slammed him to the ground. To add further injury, Powell’s colostomy bag was “ripped right off his body.”
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This happened in 2011. http://miami.cbslocal.com/2011/09/14/family-hires-attorney-after-police-scuffle-with-special-needs-man/ I would like to know if there was indeed a lawsuit and what was the result of that lawsuit.
Disgusting how the police are. The best thing that parents can do, is have their special needs, young adult with THEM. They really cannot speak for themselves, when overpowered by police thugs. The days of independent freedom on the streets, sadly, is over.
If that was my kid there would be some dead cops come the next day. Maybe their families would be spared. Depends on the mood ya know.
“For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” There is going to be a backlash if this Police brutality continues, especially if they don’t send these punk cops to prison.
Police are entrusted with special privileges and should be the EXAMPLE of the law, not above the law!
“To whom much has been given, much will be required”! When Police break the law, they should be held accountable to the MAXIMUM penalty to ensure they RESPECT what they are enforcing!