In a statement to the media, the Salisbury Police Department said it was unable to comment on pending litigation but that it strives "for positive interactions with our residents and visitors, including in cases where (police) may suspect criminal activity.". The fourth officer named in the lawsuit is Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten. Some of the other officers congratulated each other for a job well done, the lawsuit alleges. It was late August, Officer Wilson and Detective Devin Barkalow rushed to the 700 block of Second Street where they saw a man leaning up against the front door of a duplex. According to the lawsuit, Bottom did not believe she was driving fast and did not think the police were trying to stop her. Among other things, the report states Bottom: failed to stop for blue lights and sirens for about 14 miles and through two counties, simply threw her hands into the air when a uniformed officer pulled along side of her and motioned for her to pull over.. CNN has reached out to Rowan County Sheriff's Department for comment but has not yet heard back. The incident report describes one point during the chase where Master Deputy M. Smith sped up beside Bottoms vehicle and saw her put her hand up in a manner that suggested she didnt care or was not sure what was going on.. Stop Sticks, a brand name tire deflation device used by law enforcement agencies, were deployed at mile marker 87 about 14 miles away from where the chase started and near the point where I-85 splits into I-85 Business near the Davidson County Airport. It also claims that the officers congratulated one other for their work and an officer identified in the lawsuit as Barkalow is heard bragging about grabbing a "handful of dreads," saying "at that point she earned it.". They finally were able to stop her with tire spikesshe still didn't listen when they ordered her out of the car. Yeah, she WAS speeding. The LawsuitBottoms lawsuit claims officers used excessive force when they approached her at gunpoint and when they dragged her out of her SUV. Librarian Sues Over How She Was Treated During Traffic Stop 847,182 views Apr 29, 2021 Body cam video of a 68-year-old Georgia librarian's encounter with police who handcuffed her on the side of. Incident reports show the chase started around sunset on Thursday, May 30, 2019, when multiple agencies were running radar on Interstate 85. against her in a 2019 traffic stop, the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP is calling for accountability and transparency from local law enforcement agencies. The suit states police officers acted unreasonably, maliciously, and without justification, because (Bottom) did not pose a threat and was lawfully complying with the demands of the defendants to exit the vehicle with her hands up. Video shows Bottom sitting in her vehicle, facing Benfield and responding to him when she is pulled onto the ground. Real social injustice exists and you are prolonging any chance of a solution by floating this crap. An sexagenarian Black librarian claims she was assaulted and beaten by police officers and deputies during a traffic stop on a North Carolina highway in May 2019. Former Salisbury Police officer Devin Barkalow is accused of pulling Bottom out of the vehicle by her hair. The lawsuit names Benfield and Barkalow as the two officers who did this. Bottom, who did not immediately realize police wanted her to stop, was looking for a safe place to pull over when police used spike strips to stop her SUV. Another officer involved in the traffic stop, only identified as Officer Smith, pulled ahead of Bottom and deployed spike strips that immediately immobilized her vehicle, the lawsuit says. Following the public comments, Mayor Pro Tem Al Heggins asked the city council to find a way to address the concerns and deliver transparency. After Benfields initial attempt to pull Bottom over, a roughly 14-mile chase ensued and ended when law enforcement officers eventually flattening Bottoms tires in Davidson County, according to the incident report. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages for the alleged use of excessive force and unlawful search of the plaintiff's purse and vehicle. We publish narratives intentionally and specifically to enlighten and transform the world. But she added the data showing Black and brown individuals are disproportionately subject to police violence cannot be overlooked. Child Endangerment/abuse-non Serious Inj; Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Flow Of Air/Blood; Domestic Abuse Assault-Injury Or Mental Illness-1st. . It wasn't just me, it was Officer Barkalow, it wasn't just me and Officer Barkalow, it was Baker team of the Salisbury Police Department, it took all of us to do that". After a review of those policies, Black said he would like to see the creation of a new zero-tolerance policy that would establish an approach in penalizing and/or prosecuting police officers who engage in unethical acts when interacting with unarmed, non-violent and non-resisting individuals., The letters last demand is an update to the Rowan County Sheriffs Office mission statement to include inclusive language of professional law enforcement services being provided to visitors., The Sheriff Offices current mission statement reads: To provide professional law enforcement to the citizens of Rowan County, North Carolina through efficient and effective methods. Published 12:10 am Wednesday, May 5, 2021, By Natalie Anderson Officers used stop sticks and pulled Bottom over at gunpoint. In the footage, Bottom is seen screaming as Benfield, Barkalow, and Salisbury Police Officer Adam Bouk force her to lay face down on the ground, according to the lawsuit. The Salisbury Police Department and Rowan County Sheriffs Office could not be reached for comment by publication time. Within seconds of arriving at her driver's side door, the officers grabbed Bottom by her arm and hair and pulled her from her vehicle to the ground, according to body camera footage. A gray-headed, Black lady driving 10 miles over the speed limit, Peckman said. Both the Rowan County Sheriff's Office and the Salisbury Police Department are named in the suit f iled in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. Stop Sticks, a tire deflation device, were deployed and punctured Bottoms tires, forcing her to pull over on the shoulder of the road near the point where I-85 splits into I-85 Business near the Davidson County Airport. Ben Stansell covers business, county government and more for the Salisbury Post. The then-66-year-old librarian from Fulton County, Georgia, was listening to music and didn't initially see the flashing blue lights coming from the police vehicle behind her, Holmes said. Barkalow remembers how female cadets were hazed and harassed back then. There are no facts likely to emerge that warrant a 68 year old to be manhandled like that, fucking none. The two other charges were dismissed. A March report from the review panel, which is part of the Governors Crime Commission, showed that Black drivers are also searched nearly twice the rate as white and Hispanics in North Carolina, and more than three times the rate of other races. According to The Associated Press, it was about an hour before EMS arrived. Four law enforcement officers are named in the federal lawsuit filed in US District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. One of the officers was dismissed, and the Virginia attorney general launched a civil rights probe. Alexander agreed with discussing use of force policies, but reminded the public that the incident happened two years ago and city council members are unsure at this time if something had been done to address the issue already. Incident reports show the chase occurred on May 30, 2019 when Rowan County Master Deputy Mark Benfield tried to stop Bottom around Julian Road for traveling 80 mph in a 70 mph zone. Susan Lee said the lack of accountability is very concerning and violates community trust, adding that its chilling to think the same officers have been entrusted with local residents safety. Elderly Black woman says police used excessive force during traffic stop. A federal lawsuit filed by a Georgia woman claims officers from Salisbury and Rowan County used excessive force during a traffic stop in 2019 when they pulled her from the car by her hair and tore her rotator cuff. Eventually, Bottom received medical attention at the scene and was taken to the hospital, the lawsuit says. Officers with the Rowan County Sheriff's Office and the Salisbury Police Department were attempting to conduct a traffic stop on Bottom, alleging she was driving 80 mph in a 70-mph zone, according to the suit. The Judge overseeing this case is WAYNE CULVER. Defendant Officer Devin Barkalow(hereinafter "Defendant Barkalow") is, and at all relevant times was, employed as an officer for Defendant City, and was acting in the course and scope of his. Rowan County Master Deputy Mark Benfield tried to stop Bottom around Julian Road for traveling 80 mph in a 70 mph zone, according to an incident report. The suit says she was going 10 mph over the speed limit 80 mph in a 70 mph zone. Thats not the case in a lot of states. I know that they leave their homes every shift not knowing if they will make it back safely., She continued, But this evening, I am an angry Black woman. Eventually, Bottom received medical attention at the scene and was taken to the hospital, the lawsuit says. COUNTY JAIL DOCKET (The following people were booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on felony charges yet to be proven in court. Video shows officers pulling Bottoms arms behind her back. The then-66-year-old librarian from Fulton County, Georgia, was listening to music and didn't initially see the flashing blue lights coming from the police vehicle behind her, Holmes said. A Salisbury police officer involved in the stop bragged about grabbing a handful of dreads, and said at that point she earned it,' the lawsuit said, citing footage from the officers body camera. According to the lawsuit, Bottom did not believe she was driving fast and did not think the police were trying to stop her. Officers issued Bottom a summons, charging her with "speeding failure to heed blue lights, and resisting, delaying, and obstructing an officer for allegedly refusing to get out of her vehicle and pulling away from the officer," according to the lawsuit. In a June 2019 review of the incident, Sgt. So when things go wrong with the police, that is very often in the context of traffic stops.. She is requesting a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages and the costs of court and attorney fees to be covered. Mike Colvin and Detective Devin Barkalow, are now on administrative duty. Jacob Linn (1825-1878) was a gunsmith, business owner, Bexar County commissioner, landowner, and rancher. In the footage, Bottom is seen screaming as Benfield, Barkalow, and Salisbury Police Officer Adam Bouk force her to lay face down on the ground, according to the lawsuit. Once on the ground, officers twisted Bottoms arm behind her back, causing her shoulder to pop, tearing her rotator cuff and causing severe injury, the lawsuit said. Cars are extremely dangerous in the wrong hands, and just in general. 2 State House Station Newcastle, ME 04553 Augusta, ME 04333-0002 Cell: (207) 975-3132 (207) 287-1400 TTY: (207) 287-4469 mick@mickdevin.org State Representative - CHLOE S. MAxMIN Capitol Address: Home Address: A spokesman for the city of Salisbury also declined to comment about the incident. Sgt. The lawsuit names Benfield and Barkalow as the two officers who did this. It was late August, Officer Wilson and Detective Devin Barkalow rushed to the 700 block of Second Street where they saw a man leaning up against the front door of a duplex. Officers Barkalow and Adam Bouk and Deputy Mark Benfield then quickly approached with their guns drawn. Helping a Hero is a charity that builds specialized homes for injured service members. I also felt horror, humiliation and sadness.. The suit alleges that in his official capacity he "approved and condoned the unlawful behavior.". It caused her a very significant injury that required surgery, that required her to spend time in the hospital. The arresting officers involved were identified as Salisbury police officers Adam Bouk and Devin Barkalow, Rowan County sheriff's deputy Mark Benfield, and a Highway Patrol trooper only . "I was doing what we train to do. Im totally ok with throwing the book at her for having fled the cops for 10 miles, and Im even ok with having had guns drawn on her cause you never know with this shit, but that really does seem like excessive force to me when they got her out of the car. "We were the first two officers there, we found the subject sitting in front of this house," Wilson said. He is a white male registered to vote in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. 25.2k members in the USNEWS community. Bailey reminded the public that the Salisbury Police Departments use of force policies are available on the citys website. Within seconds of arriving at her driver's side door, the officers grabbed Bottom by her arm and hair and pulled her from her vehicle to the ground, according to body camera footage. Body camera footage showed Rowan County Sheriff's Deputy Mark Benfield and Salisbury Police Officer Devin Barkalow approaching Bottom's vehicle with guns drawn, then pulling her by the arm and hair from her vehicle to the ground. Bottom noticed the deputys blue lights but didnt think she was speeding so she didnt stop. The Salisbury-Rowan NAACP listed five demands to the Salisbury Police Department and Rowan Sheriffs Office in a letter that was published on its Facebook page Saturday night. The allegations were first reported by the Charlotte Observer. CNN has reached out to Rowan County Sheriff's Department for comment but has not yet heard back. He was sitting, leaning in front of this house, and he was screaming for help and we could see that he was covered from the waist down in dark blood.". Within seconds of arriving at her driver's side door, officers grabbed the by her arm and hair and pulled her from her vehicle to the ground. The two officers involved in the chase and shooting, Sgt. The officers pulled Bottom's arms behind her back while she shrieked in pain as sirens blared in the background, according to the footage. Filter by State in . Detective Barkalow is currentlyworking in an undercover capacity and was not available for an interview or picture. 68-year-old woman claims she was thrown to the ground by police for speeding 13,595 views Apr 23, 2021 A 68-year-old librarian is suing the City of Salisbury and the Rowan County Sheriff's. Former Salisbury Police Department officer Devin Barkalow, one of the officers identified in the lawsuit, declined to comment on the complaint, directing a reporter to the department. Gemale Black, president of the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP, said the letter was sent to both law enforcement agencies as well as Salisbury city council members and the Rowan County Board of Commissioners. Published 10:05 am Thursday, April 22, 2021. And the departments did not seem inclined to take action to hold these officers accountable. The suit says she was going 10 mph over the speed limit 80 mph in a 70 mph zone. The company has 1 contact on record. Theres nothing that can justify how she was pulled out of the car, but what led up to that?. Thats when she pulled over to the highways median. "I was sitting at a red light at the square in here in Salisbury when the call came in that we had a gunshot victim," said Master Police Officer Joe Wilson. We expect complete transparency from law enforcement., Walker said the absence of reprimand only perpetuates the abuse of power that leaves us without justice.. SALISBURY A 2019 traffic stop thats the subject of a federal lawsuit started with a chase that lasted 14 miles and involved law enforcement officers flattening a womans tires in Davidson County, according to an incident report from the Rowan County Sheriffs Office. In the lawsuit, Bottom says law enforcement officers used excessive force, drew their guns during the stop, pulled her out of the car by her hair and tore her rotator cuff. An officer pulled alongside Bottoms SUV at one point during the chase and looked inside her vehicle. If you have trouble with any of the links above, please contact the user who provided them. According to a July 2020 report from the North Carolina Justice Analysis Review, Black motorists were stopped at a rate twice as high as white drivers in the Tar Heel State, and almost 1.5 times the rates of other races. Paramedics were eventually called to the scene. Bottom, now 68 years old, is a Black librarian. Bottom claims the officers refused to get her medical treatment even as she told them she was in pain, according to the lawsuit. She says she had her music turned up loudly and was listening to tunes as she made the journey. DEPUTY MARK BENFIELD. Jerry Barkai - Devin Barkalow. When Bottom didn't immediately pull over, one of the officers making the traffic stop identified in the lawsuit as Salisbury Police Officer Devin Barkalow made statements recorded by his body. When Bottom didn't immediately pull over, one of the officers making the traffic stop identified in the lawsuit as Salisbury Police Officer Devin Barkalow made statements recorded by his body. During this time, Bouk is heard on the body camera footage saying, "That's good police work baby" to other officers, according to the suit. Bottom is seeking a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages as well as court costs and attorneys fees. The lawsuit alleges the officers were not disciplined for their actions. Black said he isnt hopeful that the demand will be fulfilled. Former Salisbury Police officer Devin Barkalow is accused of pulling Bottom out of the vehicle by her hair. The company's filing status is listed as Organized and its File Number is B101474. Theres a fear that even while doing our very best to follow the law and mind our business, we can come across an officer who fails to see our humanity or value our lives. The presiding judge in the case is William L. Osteen, Jr. Bottom is represented in court by Scott Holmes of the North Carolina Central University Civil Litigation Clinic and Mance. Among them was Salisbury police officer Adam Bouk, Rowan County sheriffs deputy Mark Benfield, a Highway Patrol trooper identified in the lawsuit only as Officer Smith and Devin Barkalow, a plainclothes Salisbury cop. Devin Barkalow M Overview. ', Heggins suggested a public work session with the city manager, city attorney and police chief to discuss use of force policies and what role each person is expected to carry out. contact info. The force applied by the officers caused Bottom's "shoulder to 'pop,' tearing her rotator cuff and causing severe injury," according to the lawsuit. I Feel So Violated: Wisconsin Car Salesman Urinates on Black Womans Drivers License She Left Behind After Test Drive, This You?: Twitter Calls Out Marjorie Taylor Greene for Ironically Saying People Should Respect Others With Different Views, Joy Reid Rips Apart Scott Adams As the Dilbert Cartoonist Doubles Down on Racist Comments. Anger is only one of the emotions I felt when I witnessed the video of what transpired between Ms. Stephanie Bottom and the officers in 2019. CNN has reached out to Rowan County Sheriff's Department for comment but has not yet heard back. 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