Deputy Suspended for Throwing Quadriplegic From Wheelchair

Pur48Ted · Feb 13, 2008

Deputy now suspended after dumping man from wheelchair

Tampa, Florida - The Hillsborough Co. Sheriff's Office held a press conference at 10:30am regarding the deputy who can be seen on video dumping a man in a wheelchair onto the ground.
They've announced that Deputy Charlette Jones has been relieved of her duties without pay pending the outcome of an investigation. She has not officially been terminated.
Jones has been employed by the Hillsborough Co. Sheriff's Office since 1996.
Chief Deputy Joe Docobo watched the video for the first time last night and said he found himself in "disgust" and was "appalled at every level."
Docobo also announced that two corporals and a sergeant involved are now on administrative leave with pay, and the jail supervisor on duty did not have knowledge of the incident.
Brian Sterner broke his neck almost 14 years ago and is a quadriplegic.
Sterner, who can drive, was arrested on a traffic violation. When he was booked into the Orient Road Jail last month, Sterner couldnt believe what happened.
He says a deputy looked at him and didnt believe he was a quadriplegic. She walked behind him, took the handles on the back of the hospital-grade wheel chair and dumped it forward.
Sterner says he tried to roll as he was going down, but hit so hard he thought he had broken two ribs. Then, while he was on the floor, deputies frisked him and tried to get him back into the chair.
Sterner says he told them how to pick him up and put him back into the chair, but because he cant feel anything from his breastbone down, he says he was injured and didnt know it. Sterner thought he had broken two ribs, but jail x-rays showed that wasn't true.
The Hillsborough Sheriff's Office didn't know anything about the incident until we showed them their own tape. Now an investigation is underway.
J.D. Calloway, a spokesman for the Sheriffs Office, says this has all come to light today, so this review is very active.
While we tried to get a written report about the incident, the major who runs the Orient Road Jail told us there is no incident report, because as far as they are concerned, they didn't have a problem with, or cause a problem to, an inmate in a wheelchair.
But dont tell that to Brian Sterner.
Sterner says it's incredibly degrading and its an example of how poorly trained the Hillsborough Sheriff's Office is. He adds, if theyre trying to figure out if somebody needs to be in a wheelchair or not, there are many other ways to do it than to dump somebody on their face.
Chief Deputy Joe Docobo added at the press conference this morning, the sheriff's office will now try to "make things right for this gentleman."
Click to expand...

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=73747

VIDEO:
http://www.tampabays10.com/video/16x9/?aid=55837&sid=73747

Brickman · Feb 13, 2008

If this guy sues and wins I wonder how he'll like to be manager of his jail.

This deputy should be busted so far back that she can't even become a rentacop!!!!!

Cybergal · Feb 13, 2008

As tragic as this is, it don't surprise me!

Then they wonder why people take the law in their own hands!

Just the thought of her being a cop is sickening. WHAT is it? Protect and Serve....Maybe herself

firstcav · Feb 13, 2008

She should be fired, sued, and arrested for assualt. What a freaking idiot.

bullhaulerswife · Feb 13, 2008

firstcav said: ↑

She should be fired, sued, and arrested for assualt. What a freaking idiot.
Click to expand...

I agree. That is deplorable behavior out of someone that took an oath to protect and serve. Hummmmmmm wonder why the general public no longer trust law enforcement.

Jarlaxle · Feb 14, 2008

She should be publicly horsewhipped to death...say, 500,000 lashes.

Lucifer · Feb 14, 2008

What do you expect? She is a cop. I have a room for her at my place

myminpins · Feb 14, 2008

Utterly disgusting. I hope she is fired, sued and never ever allowed any position of authority for the rest of her life.

lobshot · Feb 14, 2008

I think I heard that they have also suspended 3 other deputies who were nearby and did nothing to stop the situation.
Or how bout the 911 operators who put the lady on hold who called in and said her bed was on fire and she was paralyzed? That was just on the news. The lady died in the fire. THEY PUT HER ON HOLD!

bullhaulerswife · Feb 14, 2008

Tampa, Florida - "Infuriating" is the word that Brian Sterner first used to describe the incident where he was dumped out of a wheelchair at the Hillsborough Jail.
Sheriff David Gee, who is out of town, has not faced the media yet. However, he did issue an apology to Sterner, saying he is personally embarrassed and shocked by the horrific treatment.
The statement goes on to say he ordered the deputy who dumped Sterner to be suspended without pay and three supervisors were also suspended. Sterner's attorney, John Trevena told us from New York it's a no-brainer and the Sheriff is on board.
But those three supervisors were suspended with pay and when we asked why, we were told because of the policeman's Bill of Rights, which says unless they obviously did something wrong, they cannot be disciplined until there is an investigation.
"Ultimately, they need to be fired, and that will occur," says Trevena.
The focus right now is on Deputy Charlette Marshall-Jones, the deputy who dumped Sterner out of the wheelchair. Marhsall-Jones' personnel file shows she has been suspended twice before without pay, a total of seven days for willful neglect of duty and insubordination.
She was verbally reprimanded and counseled for failure to perform duties and poor attitude. She has repeatedly been warned about sick time abuse and was told in an early evaluation to be more forceful.
No one answered the door when 10 News visited Marshall-Jones' home for comment.
Chief Deputy Joe Docobo, Hillsborough Sheriff's Office says based on what he saw, "Anything short of dismissal would be inappropriate."
And that is exactly what Sterner and his attorney say must happen.
Click to expand...

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=73932

This is a clear abuse of power, and after watching the video, there are several people that need to be fired. Everyone just watched as she did this to him and one guy walked off laughing. Despicable!!!

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