Dr. Boyce: Why Would Police Beat a Man with Down Syndrome?

by Dr. Boyce Watkins – Scholarship in Action 

Gilberto Powell, a man with Down Syndrome, was the subject of some of the most shameful behavior imaginable.   As the young man with special needs prepared to walk into his home, police stopped him to investigate the bulge in his pants.  It turns out that the item the officers ripped away from Powell was his colostomy bag and after being beaten severely by police, he is now recovering from his injuries.

As you can see, the police somehow felt that beating down a black man with special needs was somehow necessary for them to do their jobs.  Their investigation of Powell began when they saw the bulge and believed that a pat down was necessary. They asked Powell a few questions, which he likely could not clearly understand.  That's when Powell ran away from police and received his punishment.

In their report, the officers stated that after “multiple commands to stop moving in attempt to handcuff him,” he “fell on the ground and struck his forehead."

“I ran out yelling ‘hey hey what are you doing to him? He’s Down Syndrome! Leave him alone! What are you doing?’" said Powell's father.  "And when I got over there not one minute later his face was all busted up and he was in handcuffs.  I felt helpless, ’cause he was calling my name….He’s my baby, I go he goes, anywhere I go he goes with me.”

I'm no expert on Down Syndrome, but I did get a chance to spend some time with two individuals this spring who struggle with the condition.  In my time with (what some might affectionately refer to as) "Downs Kids," I saw nothing but lovable, trusting and friendly behavior, as well as a set of challenges that should make us all feel blessed to have our health.  This doesn't imply that an individual with Down Syndrome isn't capable of committing a crime, but the idea of beating someone in the way that police attacked Mr. Powell is an outrage.  This case, as well as the questionable execution of Troy Davis, shows that the penalties for being accused of harming a police officer can be severe and even deadly.   What makes matters worse is that the arresting officers are the ones who get to tell the story after the fact.

Individuals with Down Syndrome can be difficult to understand, and officers should have been trained on what they were dealing with.  Mr. Powell wasn't bothering anyone and suddenly found himself being harassed by police.  He is now traumatized for life and like other Down Syndrome victims, may not have the physique necessary to withstand such a beating.  These officers, their department and the city of Miami should pay severely for what they've done to this innocent young man.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Professor at Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coaltion.  To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.