Well, well, well … I guess the Hillsborough County deputy sheriffs aren’t laughing now. Charlette Marshall-Jones, the deputy who was caught on tape demanding that Brian Sterner, a quad, stand up and then dumping him onto the floor when he said he couldn’t, got booked into her own jail on Feb. 16.  She was charged with one count of felony abuse of a disabled person and posted $3,500 bail. That’s a third-degree felony She also was suspended without pay and the three other deputies who just watched – one of them laughed – are on administrative leave.

Well, that’s nice.

But here’s something to think about: Marshall-Jone’s charge is that what she did was wrong because she did it to a disabled guy, not because it’s wrong for cops to bash and mock civilians. This reminds me of that other police-brutality clip that’s floating around the Internet, the one where a cop of water buffalo dimensions roughs up a scrawny little 14-year-old skateboarder for calling him “dude.”

Anyway, I’m glad Marshall-Jones didn’t get away with it, and it’s fantastic that the Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee is coming down on his crew as hard as he is. Still … I keep having these nagging thoughts … how much of this kind of crap goes on where there’s no tape rolling?

Sorry for the necro-post ... but after reading what is alleged to be her resignation letter I couldn't stop myself. I found this outrageous as well .. but what is more disturbing is that no one ... no one so much as batted an eye when she did it. Oh yes ... I'm not fooled ... this wasn't the first time abuse of civilians or disabled has occurred at this jail. Judging by the reaction [um .. more specifically the lack of a reaction] of those who witnessed it .. it is standard practice. And then to read what is alleged to be her resignation letter ... talking about her "pride and integrity" HA! Ms. Jones you have about as much integrity as a dung beetle!! You abused not just a civilian but a disabled civilian under the color of law. You are a disgrace! We are all sure getting a laugh at the mental image of you sitting with all the people you probably referred to as "low life's" or "losers" in the UNEMPLOYMENT line.

Let me first say that I also was outraged by the egregious behavior of the policewoman who dumped a quad on his face for refusing to stand. As a T6 para my worst fear when I've been pulled over by the police is that they'll demand that I get out of my vehicle and don't realize or accept that I'll need to pull out my wheelchair to comply. My handicapped plates SHOULD prevent that problem though. Strangely I've found having a wheelchair and hand controls to be a huge advantage when pulled over by the police. Twice they've caught me going 15+ mph over the limit, and each time they let me off with a warning. I treat them with respect and they're invariably embarrassed by the whole situation. I'm not complaining! ;-)