Re: Largo Autistic teen killed by police following argument with mother

[Guest guest]

As a police officer and a father of a son with ASD, I would ask at this time that you not pass judgement on this incident. There are not enough facts available to us at this time to "convict" these officers of any wrong doing. I too feel sick in the stomach when I hear about tragic incidents such as this involving individuals with ASD. However snorting xanax is likely to cause all types of behavioral problems, regardless if the individual is on the spectrum or not.

Having said that, I believe that there is much more that law enforcement agencies can do to train their officers about interacting with individuals with ASD. I still would rather my son trust the police than fear them, especially in time of need.

To: sList Sent: Thursday, July 7, 2011 7:19:18 AMSubject: Re: Largo: Autistic teen killed by police following argument with mother

Both news make me sad, scared, angry and sick in the stomach. Those that are supposed to help us are to be feared the most?!>> > > > ----- Forwarded Message -----> >> >To: Undisclosed List > >Sent: Tuesday, July 5, 2011 9:22 PM> >Subject: Autistic teen killed by police following argument with mother. Cops Just Love Those Tasers> >> >> >Autistic teen killed by police following argument with mother> >8:37 AM, Jul 1, 2011 > >http://www.wtsp.com/news/topstories/article/199295/250/Autistic-teen-killed-by-police-following-argument-with-mother> >Largo, Florida - Police called out to a domestic disturbance Thursday say they were forced to shoot and kill an 18-year-old man armed with a knife shortly after entering the apartment he shared with his mother. > > Pesare had Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism, and difficulty with social interaction. His mother, Anne Polce, says she called officers hoping they would take him to a mental evaluation center for medication. Instead, she says two officers walked into her apartment and, within seconds, there were three gunshots and her son was dead.> >Photo Gallery: Largo Teen Killed> >Largo Police are investigating the incident, but say their officers had no choice but to shoot the teen after they were attacked by Pesare, who they say was under the influence of drugs and was threatening suicide. His mother confirms she found her son snorting Xanax earlier in the day. > >"They were confronted with a deadly force situation, one of the officers fired their service weapon and, as a result, we have a deceased adult male," said Lt. Mike Loux of the Largo Police Department. > >But Polce says she can't understand why the officers found it necessary to kill her son, who she describes as 5'3" tall, 118 pounds and armed with only a folding pocket knife. She says the officers were three times the size of her son. She's also angry she was not allowed to enter the apartment herself to bring her son out peacefully. > >"I could have diffused the whole situation because he would have never come after me," said Anne Polce shortly after being questioned by investigators. > >She says her son had a clean criminal record but was suffering from depression. Their argument involved wanting to return to Rhode Island where the mother and son moved from several years ago. > >"He had a lot of problems like all autistic kids do, but he was a good kid." > >************************************************************> >Cops Just Love Those Tasers> >By KEVIN KOENINGER > >June 29, 2011 > >> >http://www.courthousenews.com/2011/06/29/37770.htm> >DAYTON, Ohio (CN) - Dayton police "mistook" a mentally handicapped teenager's speech impediment for "disrespect," so they Tasered, pepper-sprayed and beat him and called for backup from "upward of 20 police officers" after the boy rode his bicycle home to ask his mother for help, the boy's mom says. > > Pamela Ford says her "mentally challenged/handicapped" son Kersey, 17, was riding his bike near his Dayton home when Officer Willie Hooper stopped him and tried to talk to him.> > The mom says that "Prior to the incident described below, defendant Hooper knew and was aware that was mentally challenged/handicapped and a minor child."> > Nonetheless, Ford says, Hooper "apparently took 's speech impediment for disrespect ... [and] began yelling at and after attempted to communicate with him[.] , being a minor and mentally challenged/handicapped, turned and rode his bike back to his home in an attempt to ask his mother, Ford, to help him communicate with defendant ," according to the complaint in Montgomery County Court.> > On the way, the mom says, "A neighbor attempted to communicate with Officer Hooper about 's disabilities and was told to go back into his home, or he would be arrested."> > As Ford opened her front door, she says, Hooper and co-defendant Officer , "fired their Tasers, striking in the back with both probes."> > "Once inside the house, defendant Hooper and defendant began to struggle with , who was standing against the back door with his hands up in front of his face, saying 'Please quit, please quit.'> > "On numerous occasions, Ford and a family friend, Peyton, informed Officer Hooper that was mentally challenged/handicapped, and that did not understand what was happening," the complaint states.> > But the mom says the cops continued their assault: "Officer utilized his Cap-Stun pepper spray and sprayed ... [and] struck with a closed fist in the upper chest area.> > "Officer utilized his ASP and repeatedly struck in the upper left side of his left thigh.> > "Back-up units were requested to 's house, wherein upward of 20 police officers from different jurisdictions were present.> > "At no point, even after being advised of 's mental challenge/handicap by 's family and numerous bystanders, did defendant Hooper, defendant , or any other police officer present, attempt to communicate with or explain in terms he could understand as to why was being chased.> > " was handcuffed and hogtied before being placed in the back of a police cruiser.> > " was charged with assault on a peace officer, resisting arrest, and obstructing official business."> > However, " was declared incompetent by the Montgomery County Juvenile Court and the charges against were dismissed." > > and his mom seek damages from the city and the two lead officers, for false imprisonment, false arrest, malicious prosecution, assault, battery, excessive use of force, infliction of emotional distress and ci> > > >> >>