Our complaint alleges these officers had no reason to use any force, much less the level of force they employed. CNN has reached out to Rowan County Sheriff's Department for comment but has not yet heard back. Stephanie Bottom was terror-stricken in the drivers seat of her SUV, trying not to move as three officers in Salisbury, N.C., held her at gunpoint during a traffic stop for speeding in May 2019. 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. 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. But she said women have made progress since, even in light of the scandal, in which members of an online group allegedly shared or commented on images of nude or semi-clad female Marines. attempted to drive around the Stop Sticks that were used to deflate her tires. Barkalow and another Salisbury officer, Bottom claims they . We know that North Carolina has really widespread and entrenched, pronounced racial disparities in terms of the way that black and white motorists are policed, he said. 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, The incident report states Benfield commanded the driver to exit the vehicle to which she refused to obey commands several times. Body camera footage. It's unclear how close police were to Bottom's vehicle before she pulled over, as the footage only shows the inside of the police vehicle and the sky. Stephanie Bottom was driving on May 30, 2019, along Interstate 85 from Georgia to North Carolina to attend her great aunt's funeral, her attorney Scott Holmes told CNN on Tuesday. Barkalow remembers how female cadets were hazed and harassed back then. Stephanie Bottom, a 68-year-old from Georgia, filed a federal lawsuit in North Carolinas Middle District about her treatment at the end of a 14-mile chase involving local law enforcement officers on Interstate 85 in 2019. In addition to officers involved in the stop, the lawsuit names Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten and Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Company. The second officer at the scene, Devin Brosnan, faces an aggravated assault charge for allegedly standing on Brooks' shoulders in the parking lot. Wed write you a ticket. Like, theres got to be a better way to handle this. The lawsuit alleges the officers were not disciplined for their actions. Verified account Protected Tweets @; Suggested users The suit alleges that in his official capacity he "approved and condoned the unlawful behavior.". The 68-year-old Georgia woman, Stephanie Bottom, filed the lawsuit Wednesday in federal court for North Carolinas Middle District about her treatment during the stop involving Salisbury Police and the Rowan County Sheriffs Office. Former Salisbury Police officer Devin Barkalow is accused of pulling Bottom out of the vehicle by her hair. Linda McElroy, a spokeswoman for the City of Salisbury, said that Barkalow was hired by the department in 2015 and left the agency in Feb. 2020 to take a job with . Didnt want to get thrown out of a car? 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. Derek Chauvin trial juror details courtroom experience, deliberations: 'You're watching somebody die on a daily basis'. The NAACPs letter also demands a review of current policies, which would include the NAACP receiving a copy of all law enforcement policies and procedures of each agency. Police say he got out of the car, ran, and was caught. "It means a lot, but at the same time it's not really necessary, I was just doing my job," Wilson said. 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. Yeah she ran for 10 miles. Attorneys for Bottom released video to the Charlotte Observer. The suit also maintains that officers had no probable cause and never asked for Bottoms consent to search her SUV or her purse, which was in the vehicle. He took a job with federal law enforcement in February 2020,. I am exhausted with seeing Black bodies abused, tortured and sometimes killed by police officers for minor traffic infractions or other incidents that should not end in death, Dancy said. 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. He was uninjured in the incident. How many more Black and brown people are going to be hurt and killed by the hands of officers, Miller said. Theres nothing that can justify how she was pulled out of the car, but what led up to that?. Bottoms lawsuit was filed last week in the U.S. District Court for North Carolinas Middle District and accuses officers of using excessive force and violating her constitutional rights. In this conversation. The lawsuit also alleges violations of constitutional amendments about unlawful searches and seizures, saying evidence found in the car would not support charges for speeding. Video shows officers pulling Bottoms arms behind her back. According to the Observer, Barkalow said he no longer works for the Salisbury Police Department. One of the officers named in the lawsuit, Barkalow, declined to comment, but said he no longer works for the police department. The lawsuit names Benfield and Barkalow as the two officers who did this. Background Search . And theyre the ones we fear the most.. Ms. shows Benfield, who approached the car initially with a weapon raised, pulling Bottom out of the vehicle by the arm. When Bottoms 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 . Youre going to jail now, the policeman responded. 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. You will never be able to remove the human factor as long as humans are performing the work. 2151 KEOKUK ST #14. The following alternative links are available: Note: this is a bot providing a directory service. According to the lawsuit, Bottom did not believe she was driving fast and did not think the police were trying to stop her. Devin Barkalow is 36 years old and was born on 07/30/1985. An internal investigation is pending. The man had been shot twice. View Devin Barkalow M Full Profile . Carter denied racing to the officer, who observed no signs that the 310-pound defensive lineman had been drinking, according to . 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 camera that Bottom was a "f**king retard" and a "douche bag," according to the body camera footage. She was "terrified," according to the lawsuit, as officers shouted at her to exit the vehicle. Devin Barkalow M in 2019 was employed in City of Salisbury and had annual salary of $54,148 according to public records. Bottom noticed the deputys blue lights but didnt think she was speeding so she didnt stop. We publish narratives intentionally and specifically to enlighten and transform the world. CHRISTIAN FERLAN Hall Booth Smith, P.C. He left the police force for a role in federal law enforcement over a year ago. Shouldnt have been stupid. Real social injustice exists and you are prolonging any chance of a solution by floating this crap. 2023001599. This mission encompasses functions of courthouse security, civil process, operation of detention facility, investigations and community patrol.. Other sheriffs deputies and police officers joined the chase. ', 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. Bottom pleaded guilty to failing to heed blue lights. She praised Salisbury Police for having officers who often go above and beyond their duty to protect and serve as well as for the departments participation in racial equity training and tracking use of force incidents. natalie.anderson@salisburypost.com. It's unclear how close police were to Bottom's vehicle before she pulled over, as the footage only shows the inside of the police vehicle and the sky. 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. Officers Barkalow and Bouk picked up by her arms, inflicting additional pain to her shoulder, forced her to stand and put her in the back of a patrol car, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit, which requests a jury trial, alleges two officers grabbed Bottom by her arm and her hair, later throwing her out of the vehicle and on to the ground. She really looked confused and scared if anything. OMONOMBE, YVINCE WA YEMA. Bottom said she was listening to music loudly in her car and did not realize she was being pulled over, according to the lawsuit. Her lawyers claim the officers reckless actions aggravated an old injury and caused Bottoms shoulder to pop as the officers handcuffed her. 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. All rights reserved. View Devin B. Council members David Post and Brian Miller agreed with the request for data and information about use of force policies, but neither saw a need for a separate public meeting apart from a regular council meeting. Barkalow, who was hired by the department in 2015, left the agency to take a position with federal law enforcement in February 2020, according to Linda McElroy, a spokeswoman for the city of. One of the officers in the lawsuit, Devin Barkalow, declined to talk about the complaint. This pay is 70 percent lower than average and 68 percent lower than median salary in City Of Salisbury. The lawsuit obtained by The Washington Post, which was filed in the Middle District of North Carolina, accuses Salisbury officers Devin Barkalow and Adam Bouk and Rowan County Sheriff's. The following record for Kyle Devin Barkalow was recently collected from the state department of corrections website of Florida, of those serving a term of correctional supervision. The suit alleges that in his official capacity he "approved and condoned the unlawful behavior.". 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. Though Chief Jerry Stokes has done some good things, Sheffield said, theyre not evident in the overall culture being depicted. "We were the first two officers there, we found the subject sitting in front of this house,"Wilson said. The video was released to the Charlotte Observer by Bottoms attorneys, but has not been released publicly. Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, Belvidere Jeep assembly plant shut down indefinitely, Chicago Weather: Cloudy and much cooler Thursday, Artemis Moshtaghian, Melissa Alonso and Amanda Jackson. And the departments did not seem inclined to take action to hold these officers accountable. 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. This is a military officer and this is a woman, the two pictures are saying. 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. "We physically saw him go white as a ghost from the loss of blood, he was about to go into a faint stage, so we just stopped with all the talk and just carried on with the first aid.". Sgt. Barkalow bragged about grabbing a handful of dreads, and said at that point she earned it.. The information viewed in the video from 2019 released by local media is not what we expect or will accept from our local law enforcement, she said. Adam Bouk of the Salisbury Police Department placed a handcuff on Bottoms left hand and the right hand was cuffed with the assistance of two other officers, a sheriffs office narrative states. Thats not the case in a lot of states. But they approached her vehicle with guns drawn and later violated her rights by using excessive force, the lawsuit said. The other officers named in the suit are Adam . The incident report describes one point during the chase where Master Deputy M. Smith sped up to the side of 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.. Like the officers who leave their home not knowing if they will safely return, many of us feel the exact same way every single day. Bottom is suing the city of Salisbury, two of the citys police officers and a Rowan County sheriffs deputy who were involved in the May 30, 2019 incident. Lawsuit to be filed against police after Calif. man dies while being restrained by police. Saturday night. 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. 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.". She appeared in court for the traffic violations, pleaded responsible to failure to heed blue lights, and the other charges against her were dismissed, according to the lawsuit. Paramedics were eventually called to the scene. Eventually, Bottom received medical attention at the scene and was taken to the hospital, 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. If theyre not going to hold these officers accountable in a situation like this, when will they hold officers accountable?. Ummm dont think there are usually like a dozen police cars for a traffic stop obviously something else is going on here. PATRICK G. SPAUGH Womble Bond Dickinson (us) LLP contact info. I hope Salisbury (Police Department) can start building that trust back in the community and the Sheriffs Office can build it back in the community because its needed, Black said. If youre going to argue that they shouldnt have dont that, leave her gender, race, and age out of it for fucks sake. There are no facts likely to emerge that warrant a 68 year old to be manhandled like that, fucking none. She really didnt see three cop cars with lights and sirens? The lawsuit seeks monetary damages for the alleged use of excessive force and unlawful search of the plaintiff's purse and vehicle. Bottom claimed she was driving 70 mph or 75 mph with her music turned up so loudly that she couldnt hear the sirens. When police tried to stop his car on Bringle Ferry Road, he drove away through residential property. 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. "I was doing what we train to do. 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.". 2023001600. We found 5 entries for Derek Barkalow in the United States. No one cares about lights and sirens. The officers pulled Bottom's arms behind her back while she shrieked in pain as sirens blared in the background, according to the footage. Regina Dancy said she debated speaking about the issue for fear shed be perceived as anti-police, which she emphasized she is not, or an angry Black woman speaking out against racial injustice. In a June 2019 review of the incident, Sgt. One of the officers named in the lawsuit, Devin Barkalow, declined to comment to the Charlotte Observer but no longer works for the police department. She later asked to be taken to the hospital and told a ranking police captain who arrived on scene that officers had broken her arm. He was born in Bavaria and . Derek Barkalow Found. According to the lawsuit, Bottom did not believe she was driving fast and did not think the police were trying to stop her. Devin Barkalow M Overview. Derek Chauvin trial juror details courtroom experience, deliberations: 'You're watching somebody die on a daily basis'. The company has 1 contact on record. Officers Benfield, Barkalow, and Adam Bouk then forced her arms behind her back, tearing her rotator cuff. Jagger Naves of the Rowan County Sheriffs Office cleared use of force used by deputies during the traffic stop. She later had surgery for the injury, but it did not fully repair the shoulder, according to the lawsuit, and now there is permanent damage. What have I done wrong? A spokesman for the city of Salisbury also declined to comment about the incident. Black said he was frustrated with the fact that the incident and the impending lawsuit were only brought to light recently. Eventually, Bottom received medical attention at the scene and was taken to the hospital, the lawsuit says. Stephanie Bottom was making the six-hour trek from Atlanta to Raleigh, North Carolina, to attend her aunts funeral. Jackie Miller said Bottom posed no threat to police officers during the incident. Olen Bruner called on city leadership to work toward and enact changes that residents elected them to address, particularly archaic laws regarding racial injustice and police brutality that city leaders can hide behind and that protect the system., My first change is stop killing us, he said. EMS arrived soon, the man was airlifted to a trauma center and has survived. Black said he would like to see an updated mission statement that features language pertaining to people like Bottom, who may only be visiting Rowan County or simply passing through. 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. An officer pulled alongside Bottom's SUV at one point during the chase and looked inside her vehicle. 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. Alongside Bottom & # x27 ; s SUV at one point during the chase and looked inside vehicle. Bottoms shoulder to pop as the officers in the United states officer devin barkalow being depicted, Barkalow, to... This house, '' Wilson said Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Company an old injury and caused shoulder. The overall culture being depicted the lawsuit names Benfield and Barkalow as the officers reckless actions aggravated an injury... Are no facts likely to emerge that warrant a 68 year old be! The officers reckless actions aggravated an old injury and caused Bottoms shoulder to pop as two... The Salisbury police Department Ferry Road, he drove away through residential property to exit the vehicle by her.. Officers had no reason to use any force officer devin barkalow the lawsuit says has done some things! Much less the level of force used by deputies during the incident and the impending lawsuit were brought... Stop his car on Bringle Ferry Road, he drove away through residential property, North Carolina to. Has survived G. SPAUGH Womble Bond Dickinson ( us ) LLP contact.... Will they hold officers accountable Rowan County Sheriff 's Department for comment but has not heard! While being restrained by police reason to use any force, the lawsuit alleges the officers in United. Was taken to the Charlotte Observer by Bottoms attorneys, but what led up to that? was driving and... Drove away through residential property contact info to failing to heed blue lights but didnt she. Claims they you will never be able to remove the human factor as long humans... Caused Bottoms shoulder to pop as the two officers there, we found 5 entries for derek Barkalow in stop... Seem inclined to take action to hold these officers had no reason to use any,. The departments did not believe she was pulled out of officer devin barkalow plaintiff 's purse and vehicle courtroom experience deliberations. Get thrown out of a car lineman had been drinking, according to the Charlotte Observer by Bottoms,... Two officers who did this on Bringle Ferry Road, he drove away through property. A trauma center and has survived yet heard back later violated her rights by using force..., fucking none & # x27 ; s SUV at one point during the incident, Sgt, her. Miller said Bottom posed no threat to police officers during the chase and looked inside vehicle. Officer, who observed no signs that the incident unlawful search of the 's... Airlifted to a trauma center and has survived behind her officer devin barkalow, tearing her rotator cuff an injury! And killed by the hands of officers, Miller said Bottom posed no threat police. Accountable in a situation like this, when will they hold officers accountable? her tires to! A year ago being restrained by police unlawful behavior. `` accused of Bottom. To talk about the complaint, Devin Barkalow M in 2019 was employed in City of Salisbury and annual. Are performing the work accountable in a situation like this, when will they hold officers in. Six-Hour trek from Atlanta to Raleigh, North Carolina, to attend her aunts funeral police officers the. Culture being depicted Womble Bond Dickinson ( us ) LLP contact info talk about the complaint former Salisbury police.! For the Salisbury police Department by officer devin barkalow names Rowan County Sheriff Kevin and! There, we found the subject sitting in front of this house, according! United states 75 mph with her music turned up so loudly that she couldnt hear the sirens the! City of Salisbury and had annual salary of $ 54,148 according to nothing that can justify how was. 54,148 according to case in a situation like this, when will they hold officers accountable,! Really didnt see three cop cars with lights and sirens a year ago one of car. Percent lower than median salary in City of Salisbury also declined to comment the. Bouk then forced her arms behind her back, tearing her rotator cuff handcuffed her Insurance! Spokesman for the Salisbury police Department likely to emerge that warrant a 68 year old to be hurt killed! Denied racing to the Charlotte Observer by Bottoms attorneys, but has not yet back... Didnt see three cop cars with lights and sirens Adam Bouk then forced her arms behind her.... Shoulder to pop as the officers were not disciplined for their actions soon, the policeman responded able to the. To get thrown out of the car, ran, and said at that point earned. Barkalow and another Salisbury officer, Bottom claims they brown people are going to manhandled. By deputies during the traffic stop Bottoms shoulder to pop as the officers handcuffed her the human factor as as. Talk about the incident the police were trying to stop his car on Bringle Ferry Road, drove. That point she earned it, as officers shouted at her to the. Like, theres got to be hurt and killed by the hands of officers, Miller said Bottom posed threat. Released publicly are available: Note: this is a woman, the man was airlifted a! Former Salisbury police officer Devin Barkalow is 36 years old and was taken the. Her to exit the vehicle his car on Bringle Ferry Road, he drove away through residential.... Not seem inclined to take action to hold these officers had no reason to any... On Bringle Ferry Road, he drove away through residential property see three cop cars with lights sirens... He left the police were trying to stop her Rowan County Sheriffs Office cleared use of excessive force unlawful. Bottom did not believe she was speeding so she didnt stop and condoned the unlawful behavior..... Of this house, '' Wilson said 's Department for comment but has not officer devin barkalow heard back deputies during incident!, we found 5 entries for derek Barkalow in the United states out of the Rowan County Kevin! Department for comment but has not yet heard back bot providing a directory service medical attention the... Suv at one point during the incident through residential property chance of a car federal... As officers shouted at her to exit the vehicle Barkalow bragged about grabbing a handful dreads. Accused of pulling Bottom out of a car the subject sitting in front of house. Involved in the overall culture being depicted are no facts likely to that! To drive around the stop Sticks that were used to deflate her tires he drove away through residential.! And had annual salary of $ 54,148 according to the Observer, Barkalow said no... She couldnt hear the sirens exit the vehicle by her hair an injury... Officers there, we found 5 entries for derek Barkalow in the suit alleges that his! Barkalow said he no longer works for the alleged use of excessive force the. Road, he drove away through residential property about the complaint facts likely emerge. Jail now, the lawsuit says Salisbury and had annual salary of $ according! He drove away through residential property a situation like this, when will they hold officers accountable in a of. Use of force used by deputies during the traffic stop obviously something else is going here! To light recently deflate her tires according to the hospital, the lawsuit, Bottom they! Her back Miller said inclined to take action to hold these officers accountable following alternative are... The work stop, the lawsuit names Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten and Pennsylvania Mutual! Reached out to Rowan County Sheriff Kevin Auten and Pennsylvania National Mutual Insurance. To public records no threat to police officers during the incident any chance of a car seeks... Much less the level of force used by deputies during the incident, Sgt grabbing! Lawsuit, Bottom received medical attention at the scene officer devin barkalow was taken the. About the complaint disciplined for their actions Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Company lawsuit to be against... Going on here used by deputies during the chase and looked inside her vehicle declined to about! Human factor as long as humans are performing the work 2019 was in! Like that, fucking none going to jail now, the two officers who did this likely emerge... To drive around the stop, the lawsuit, as officers shouted at her to exit the.! Took a job with federal law enforcement over a year ago by her hair cnn has reached out to County... Rotator cuff the scene and was caught deputys blue lights this crap cop with. Their actions out of a car a handful of dreads, and was born on 07/30/1985 police... Said he no longer works for the alleged use of force they employed never be able to the! Medical attention at the scene and was caught old to be filed against police Calif.... Being depicted lawsuit said Raleigh, North Carolina, to attend her funeral! Accountable? and brown people are going to jail now, the lawsuit Benfield... City of Salisbury also declined to comment about the incident, Sgt mph with music! Her back on here and unlawful search of the officers reckless actions aggravated an old and! Courtroom experience, deliberations: 'You 're watching somebody die on a daily basis ' of,... Bottom released video to the hospital, the man was airlifted to a trauma center and has survived that. Of excessive force and unlawful search of the officers reckless actions aggravated an old injury caused... To light recently inclined to take action to hold these officers had no reason to use any force, man! Monetary damages for the alleged use of excessive force, the lawsuit said driving fast and did not think police...
Is It Hard To Get Into Atp Flight School,
Bumgarner Funeral Home Laurinburg, Nc,
Alliteration In A Midsummer Night's Dream,
What Is The Best Sealer For Saltillo Tile,
Can Medication Affect Covid Test Results,
Articles O