Dallas police chief regrets public intoxication arrest of stroke victim at home

[somone]

http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/03/dallas-police-chief-regrets-pu.html

Dallas police chief regrets public intoxication arrest of stroke victim
By Bruce Tomaso

In a statement released today by Chief David Brown, the Dallas Police Department said it would seek dismissal of a public intoxication charge against an Oak Cliff woman whose stroke years ago left her with slurred speech and walking problems.

Dianne Irons, 55, was arrested on Feb. 23 by police officers who went to her home in response to a disturbance call.

"Subsequently, Ms. Irons was arrested for public intoxication because it was of the officers' opinion that Ms. Irons exhibited the symptoms of one who may be intoxicated," the chief's statement said. "However, Ms. Irons is a stroke victim with documented evidence in her medical reports of slurred speech and unsteady balance. The department regrets that we did not recognize Ms. Irons' medical condition."

The woman spent about six hours in custody before being released. She said she told the officers who arrested her that she wasn't drunk and, in fact, doesn't drink...

[Tx4obama]

1. Since when it is against the law to be drunk in YOUR OWN HOME anyway? n/t

[lpbk2713]

2. Six hours in custody.

The "Golden Hour" is a crucial element in treating stroke patients.

Link: http://www.newsroom.heart.org/index.php?s=43&item=660


Ms Irons missed her chance by a wide margin thanks to Dallas PD.
Mighty generous of them to drop the charges. She should retain
legal counsel and make Dallas PD pay for her medical care.

[Liquorice]

3. She had the stroke many years ago. nt

[lpbk2713]

5. I missed that part of it.

My bad.

Thanks.

[Kurmudgeon]

6. As per the story, her stroke happened years ago.

However, the chief is correct in apologizing and trying to make things right with her.
The police these days can be way too quick to slap on the cuffs and take things as far as they can instead of setting back and seeing if force or incarceration is really necessary.

[villager]

7. Cops these days are assholes. The exceptions are few and far between.

n/t

[Hannah Bell]

4. i have a relative with cerebral palsy who's had the same thing happen -- multiple times.