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Police Brutality on Deaf Man
December 1st, 2006
Doug Bahl taught when I was a student at Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf (MSAD). Bahl was pulled over by police in Minnesota, and was beaten. Shocking that it still happens in today’s time and age.
From a forwarded email:
“Doug apparently was pulled over, and then beaten by officers when he asked for an interpreter. Yikes!”
“Doug Bahl is a well-known member of the deaf community here in the Twin Cities. Look at this!!! Just lok at this! How could the police do this???!!! This should be on the news!!!”
Amy Cohen Efron | December 1st, 2006 @ 1:49 pm
My GOSH!!! What happened???? He does not deserve this kind of treatment, and it is shocking!
For his reputation, age and status in the Deaf Community – how could that HAPPEN????
I need more information. This is outrageous!
I sincerely hope that Mr. Bahl gets his lawyer and have this followed through with a massive lawsuit. My gosh, I’m shocked!
Amy Cohen Efron | December 1st, 2006 @ 1:56 pm
What even more shocking is that it is HIS EYES that was BEATEN! Our eyes are the most precious commodity and I cannot believe this… my initial response was anger! I mean we need to follow up this story… this is too unreal.
Who will be following up with this story? What provoked the police to beat him because he just wanted to have an interpreter? Why is he pulled over? What time? during the daytime? Unbelievable!
Where did these pictures taken place? Hospital? I pray so!
Sending my wishes to the Bahl family and hope Doug gets his best representation for this unfortunate incident.
Carrie Gellibrand | December 1st, 2006 @ 1:57 pm
This is horrendous treatment towards Doug Bahl. I hope more information is released soon and that justice is served. Truly shocking…
Rob | December 1st, 2006 @ 2:58 pm
I’m shocked by the police’s violent treatment of Mr. Bahl. The use of excessive force by any police department for a tense but non-threatening situation (like Mr. Bahl’s request for interpreter, for example) is unacceptable and deplorable.
However, the forward email is all the information we have now. Until then, we need to refrain from making baseless accusations and condemnations against a Minnesotan police department without knowing the full facts.
Something might have happened between Mr. Bahl and the police officer(s) during the incident. I presume there is a video-recording system in the police car that may have recorded the incident between Mr. Bahl and the police officers?
I hope Mr. Bahl will get legal representation to assist him on this case of excessive force and discrimination by the said Minnesotan police department and justice will be served.
John Egbert | December 1st, 2006 @ 5:09 pm
Doug Bahl was sprayed in both eyes with mace before he was beaten up.
I know Doug, He doesn’t have the desire to hurt a fly!
And the police also kicked him!
Roger Kraft | December 1st, 2006 @ 8:03 pm
Wow! When did this happen? Yesterday? 2 weeks ago? Where is the outrage on the level of Rodney King??? This ought to be national news right away!
Rodney Navratil | December 2nd, 2006 @ 5:02 am
We’ve got to stop police brutality. It’s a nationwide problem. Too many militaristic and narrow minded police officers need to be educated and sensitized about the vast variety of handicaps in our country. The deaf community needs to rally and picket police stations whenever senseless brutality occurs. Doug should sue the police department and offer to educate them regarding the deaf and how to communicate with the deaf. The beatings got to stop. Where is our deaf outrage?
Bevo | December 2nd, 2006 @ 2:02 pm
We need to do something about that! We need to tell police to NOT to use mice pepper spray to deaf people’s eyes! Our deaf eyes are very important for visual to communicate! We need to put stop to it!
Pingback: I just stepped in a big pile of sassy! » Excessive Force Used By Police When Pulling Over a Local Deaf Man
Damn | December 3rd, 2006 @ 4:09 pm
Damn. I NEVER trust government at all.
I live in Minnesota. I thought police in Mn is ok.
Thank you for info.
now Im afraid to go driving or do stuff out.
christopher zvolanek | December 3rd, 2006 @ 9:00 pm
Please contact NAD deaf law center about this nationwide outbreak that are needed to be training through NAD and DOJ that need to get NAD and DOJ message to nationwide that we show that zero tolerance that are not acceptable in this kind of brutalities, discrimination and beyond of that.
Keith Sass | December 3rd, 2006 @ 9:08 pm
Oh, my gosh! I feel very bad for Doug Bahl after his
brutality police cause he is deaf, he need to have an
interpreter for him. I will never trust police officers
again! I hope this cop will go to hell! God not bless the
police officer that cause of it.
My sending sympathies of your Doug’s family and Doug Bahl.
ily to doug.
God bless Doug’s family and Doug Bahl!
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kari edwards | December 5th, 2006 @ 7:22 am
I suggest doug to get tv news to annouce them whole minnesota state.. please do it and show your picture and tell them the story! I will be glad to join and help you .. am very supportive you!! I am very sick what to hear that happened!!
hang in there and god bless you!!
Kari
Karen(Wandler) Hesser | December 5th, 2006 @ 7:53 am
Oh my goodness the police officers had senseless brutaling of innocent this guy requested for an interpreter as well he have rights , I trust him will win the case easily. the police officrs know better as no excuse for them.
matt | December 5th, 2006 @ 8:34 am
before you people start slemming the governmant and the police you shoudl maybe get the whole story….and for God’s sake, thsi is not nearly similar to the Rodney King incident…give me a break. I certainly don’t think excesive force is OK but before you start rallying together to support this guy, make sure you know the whole story.
Simon and Cathy | December 5th, 2006 @ 10:09 am
Police brutality that was happened to Mr. Doug Bahl which is totally unnecessary.
An accused police officer may not fit to be a policeman.
My wife and I encountered the policemen in automobile accidents twice in the past. They did not want to write down for what they said to us that we requested. We do not know how the hell they got the job. We wonder did they took the civil service test or father-son hiring.
We are sick to watch “The Cops” on TV for their brutality quite often.
50 bullets kills an innocent black groom-to-be in New York City recently. It is outrageous. Those happy gun triggers ought to go to Iraq.
We stand behind our deaf brother, Mr. Doug Bahl 100% and we do know his girlfriend, Susan Kovacs.
Simon and Cathy
D F Curl | December 5th, 2006 @ 12:45 pm
America Disabilities Act is not strong enough to protect Deaf people. Deaf people are no longer safe. Organizational government agencies ingore ADA!. NAD lobbyist must change ADA! Same thing happened to me when I was arrested for trespassing while finding my nephews at school in Ogden, Utah about 5 years ago on Thanksgiving eve. I asked for an interpreter. They didn’t do anything. I closed my eyes entirely. Damn to hearing people! NAD Law Center didn’t do anything!
Hex | December 5th, 2006 @ 8:55 pm
What I see is assault targeted at his eyes, much more damage than mace would do. Why didn’t they go for beating on his knees or the like if they felt they had to overpower him? This is malice. Its as if the officers did to Bahl what a little kid would do kicking a boy’s nether-regions during recess at school. They knew his eyes were important, showing it is likely they knew he was deaf.
jeff | December 6th, 2006 @ 7:40 am
People need to get all the facts before they ASSUME brutality. According to the STRARTRIBUNE article, Bahl grabbed the officer’s arm, hit him, and bit his thumb. Maybe next time Bahl will use sign language to show the officer that he can’t hear. Any officer can figure out rather quickly that the person can’t hear. Common sense tells one that one should not grab a cops arm, anytime. And as far as the pictures, how do we know that Bahl wasn’t injured before his contact with police?
at | December 6th, 2006 @ 9:05 am
If Mr Bahl had been black and out here in california, he would be very rich. Two convicted felons received alot of money form los angeles for less of a beating while they were commiting a felony. I don’t assume anything but I know that a police officer that gave an elderly man a beating like this is a thug. Plain and simple. He is by far more of a criminal than you would know. Just think of the beatings he has given with no one knowing about them. I would love to see this guy off duty doing something wrong and give him an identical citizens arrest.
Lynne~ | December 6th, 2006 @ 9:48 am
It sure makes me angry about what happened to that man who doesn’t deserve it since I really never like the policemen who are mostly ASSHOLE. Um, Doug seriously needs to do something about it; therefore, they will not get away with it. Good Luck to Doug, his family & friends…
Merry Christmas,
Lynne~
Renee | December 6th, 2006 @ 8:25 pm
I am a student of Doug’s and we are all stunned what happened to our beloved teacher. The pictures do not fully show the true extent of the injeries. I do know that he has a lawer and is planning on suing on four different counts. Doug admits to running a red lite, but denies any accusations by police that he grabbed, hit or bit the officer. The students are all standing behind him 100%. He is an amazing teacher. He would never do anything in a violent manner. No interpreter was ever provided. He was not allowed to contact the outside world on his own. Four days after arriving at the jail, a fellow inmate used one of his phone calls to notify Doug’s family of his where abouts. I can’t say much more due to Doug’s leagal actions, but I can say that he has been deeply touched by the support he has recieved from hearing and deaf alike all over the country.
Renee | December 6th, 2006 @ 8:43 pm
I want to add to my earlier statement. I am hearing and all of my classmates are hearing, we care about Doug, he is my student advisior. Please, I know that many of you are angry about what happened, but don’t condem the hearing in this case. Both of his children are CODA, and it is his work that has taught so many hearing people what it means to be “D” Deaf and the importance of the Deaf community. I would like to tell those of you who are siding with the cop that you are dead wrong. The accusations against Doug are a last ditch effort to save face. Doug will be making a public announcement. It is my understanding that it will be aired on WCCO channel 4. Thank you for all your support in this emotionally hard time.
Craig J | December 7th, 2006 @ 6:03 am
This is just terrible what police think they can get away with just because they are the law…Cops have been getting away with alot of incidents like these for along time and for the people to say that its hearing against deaf, which is not true. Its cops against law abiding citizens…The real reason all this happened is that cops deal with criminals, drug dealers, theifs etc… so they have that mentality that everyone is a criminal….Doug, i have deaf parents so we’re with you all the way…
John Mattsen | December 7th, 2006 @ 9:25 pm
I’m appalled that so many people can presume that Doug was right and the police were wrong without know what happened…without knowing the results of the investigation. What are you going to do, for example, if a cam in the squad car shows that Doug assaulted the police? Will you recant your angry words?
Craig J | December 8th, 2006 @ 8:19 pm
In reply to John Mattsen, The reason why everyone is angry about what the cops did, was because they could have handled it professionally, rather then badly abuse the man. What Doug did was wrong but he did not deserve what the police did to him. The cops easily could have over powered the man without abuse but everyone has their opinions on who is wrong but in this situation the cops were “Wrong”…
John Mattsen | December 8th, 2006 @ 8:53 pm
Thank you Craig J for your respectful response. Law enforcement agencies on all levels are very sensitive to the words, “Excessive Use of Force”. No doubt that the appearance of Doug Bahl will prompt a serious investigation into what happened and why, and even if the actions of Doug Bahl caused the physical confrontation, the officer (s) will be scrutenized to determine if there was excessive use of force.
I am “struck” by the photos of this man. The booking photo on TV showed trauma and generalized swelling of the left eye only. The photos above show at least equal trauma to both eyes. I would have expected to see only minor discoloration on the right side. I wonder about this.
Kathi Malone | December 23rd, 2006 @ 3:12 pm
I know Doug Bahl personally and I know he is a wonderful teacher and respected member of the Deaf community. I cannot believe the police did not heed their specialized training in arresting deaf people. There is no excuse for this impulsive and brutal reaction to Mr. Bahl’s running a red light. And to not have the right to a TTY and interpreter in jail is a violation of ADA. I hope he is compensated for the humilitation he had to suffer.
christopher zvolanek | January 12th, 2007 @ 5:55 am
We Deaf Communities must take action and support one side in dire of need of hour who was victimize as law abiding citizen who use excessive force or else. We need deaf law firm centers in each state that specialized the law, serving deaf communities that advocating the rights including investigations in coordinating with state and federal levels, communities actions, have licenses its own state and federal jurisdictions and authorities, working with state and federal goverments, legal actions in criminal and federal cases in related brutalize, violation rights, violation due process, consitutional rights, human rights, and more…that we show that 50 states are strong hold the deaf’s including the disabilities rights.
Mike Cashman | February 1st, 2007 @ 6:57 am
Just saw this blog…oh jeez, I know Doug from our Minnesota days…we often went to the Minnesota Legislature to fight for common sense rights… to ensure our safety and to instill more access…however, this is just so appalling…and so disgusted that this happened to a staunch advocate…but that could have happened to another deaf person…so Doug, my friend…please bounce back and do your usual excellent advocate work…this is just another hurdle for you to encounter…mc
juan carreras | February 20th, 2007 @ 8:39 pm
damn
kyle wollin | May 2nd, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
why would someone do this to a guy that had nothing against the police and they beat him because hes deaf? thats just reatrded in my opinion, write me back with some info on this plz and thanx
Michael McCowen | July 18th, 2007 @ 8:22 pm
I pray for Doug would win.. Please contact with NAD and police officer could be fired their job.. I believe police would wrong job.. Let me tell Doug cause police dong abuse with deaf peoples. I know police or sheriff would wrong.. I was victimed too from police beat me and I have been contacted with NAD. Doug,,I hope they can fired for police officer. I know police is very stupid law.. However hearing trust judge and judge does not trust deaf..It is different human. I disagree that law. Doug should have give to Minnesato state need against police officer abused. Or it should information in Washington, DC for deaf peoples. I pray for Doug can win. and police get loser.. thanks for and I pray for him too..
Tonya Thimons | September 25th, 2007 @ 7:42 pm
I also know Doug, and was a student of his. I now live in another state and have gotten married, and was completely SHOCKED to hear about this story. Doug would never hurt anyone! What a disgrace that this kind of activity occurs in our world. I don’t know if Doug will see this message or not, but my heart goes out to you and your family. I hope that this can be resolved, and on behalf of the hearing society, I am sorry that this happened to you – it’s not right.
AB | October 20th, 2007 @ 9:44 am
Doug Bahl’s brother posted bail for him a year ago. He has never talked to us when he will pay us back, he will not answer emails. He owes us hundreds and hundreds of dollars!
Patrick | December 9th, 2007 @ 9:14 pm
I doubt that he was beaten simply because he asked for an interpreter. This sounds like your not telling the whole story. But maybe it was “excuse me, may I have an interpreter?” Police: “What did you say?Get Him!!!” whack whack whack
Super Power Tim | August 19th, 2009 @ 9:33 pm
Damn All police, sheriff do tht ! Thank God I found on this. sheriff almost spray black pepper spray on me, But I saw it then I gave up to let them arrest me behind on my back while I told front of My mother tell Police read my right repeat it please handcuff front of me. They disrecpect to me nothing. Real piss off !!! They are so stupied to spray on deaf ppls eyes. Not good idea bec only ur lost ears and two left with your very power eyes more than the ears. what if damage your eyes can casue become your blind eyes and ear worst. I can’t beleive it. We need to get our support all together fight back with ADA again. I wish Amermica Flag should remove Cuz America are so very selffish to snotty steal the money and earth. God isnt kind of person for the money. God dont like it tht way. only God own on land of the earth for all the country as same. I dont like all different flag from another counrty and here… Should put up to new Flag for ONLY Jeust ‘s flag picture all over the counrty. God saw who the man was blind eyes and told him come to see him in privte and his pick mud up to put the man ‘s eyes then few mins then God told him please open man’s eyes and he become can see it. what the point is. God Help people better but not beat them up what for bec thier sins. Doug ! Thank you for this support me alot mean to me. I will support ur side too. I am only trust with my god’s heart and Jeust period. I want to say to U I really do love u my omen.