Taser Incident Raises Questions about Police Sensitivity to Disabled

By Amy Teeple

Published on August 17, 2006

The victim’s guardians contacted an advocacy group for the disabled, stating that police need to be better trained in dealing with the disabled.

Seattle police Chief Clark Kimerer said that the officer involved in the incident reacted properly since she was not aware of the disability and was simply responding to behavior that was threatening and needed to be addressed.

After observing what appeared to be a man trying to gain access to a closed business, Seattle police officer Yvonne Tovar approached Bob Ross, 56. In a police report on the incident, Tovar noted that Ross attempted to hide behind a sizeable planter nearby. Tovar ordered him to move away from the door; however, Ross did not respond.

According to Tovar’s filed report, when she radioed for backup, Ross lifted wooden dowels he was carrying and moved toward her quickly. When Ross would not stop, Officer Tovar used her Taser on him. He pulled the darts from his body and began to run. Ross continued to fight as he was Tasered two additional times, once by Tovar and once by another officer.

It was not until after Ross was subdued and under police custody that officers learned he was deaf and mute.

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