As Rowan County Sheriff's Deputy Mark Benfield and Barkalow approached her vehicle they had their guns drawn and pointed at her, according to the lawsuit. Sunshine returns to SoCal on Thursday but cold temps stick around, World of Barbie to open next month at Santa Monica Place, Jupiter and Venus appear to 'kiss' in the sky, Track SoCal rain with LIVE Megadoppler 7000 HD, Artemis Moshtaghian, Melissa Alonso and Amanda Jackson. Devin Barkalow currently lives in Concord, NC; in the past Devin has also lived in Chesterland OH and Salisbury NC. A Black woman was allegedly grabbed by the hair and pulled out of her SUV by North Carolina police during a traffic stop in 2019 after she was driving 10 miles per hour over the speed limit and failed to stop for law enforcement, according to a civil lawsuit filed last week. This mission encompasses functions of courthouse security, civil process, operation of detention facility, investigations and community patrol.. It also claims that the officers congratulated one other for their work and an officer identified in the lawsuit as Barkalow is heard bragging about grabbing a "handful of dreads," saying "at that point she earned it.". 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. This practice of editing out the why for these videos and only showing the police response is likely to destroy any credibility as these videos continue to get debunked. Mary Walker also denounced the incident depicted in body camera footage on behalf of Women for Community Justice. 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. shows Benfield, who approached the car initially with a weapon raised, pulling Bottom out of the vehicle by the arm. This salary is 20 percent higher than average and 23 percent higher than median salary in City of Salisbury. Ian Mance is the attorney handling the case for the public policy program, which is dedicated to criminal justice reform and eradicating structural racism. Bottom said she was listening to music loudly in her car and did not realize she was being pulled over, according to the lawsuit. "Once it became clear they wanted her to pull over she was afraid and was looking for a safe place to pull over," Holmes told CNN in an email. 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. Helping a Hero is a charity that builds specialized homes for injured service members. "Once it became clear they wanted her to pull over she was afraid and was looking for a safe place to pull over," Holmes told CNN in an email. She said she didnt realize the contingent of officers were after her. She alleges officers assaulted her and unlawfully searched her SUV during the chaotic ordeal. CNN has reached out to Rowan County Sheriff's Department for comment but has not yet heard back. 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. Published 12:10 am Wednesday, May 5, 2021, By Natalie Anderson 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. A Black woman was allegedly grabbed by the hair and pulled out of her SUV by North Carolina police during a traffic stop in 2019 after she was driving 10 miles per hour over the speed limit and failed to stop for law enforcement, according to a civil lawsuit filed last week. Relatives & Associates. Benfield opened the drivers side door and commanded the driver to exit the vehicle to which she refused to obey commands several times, an incident report states. Thats consistent with the incident report from the Rowan County Sheriffs Office, which states that Rowan County Master Deputy Mark Benfield tried to stop Bottom around Julian Road. She was accused of refusing to get out of her vehicle and pulling away from the officer. The lawsuit denied those allegations. The force applied by the officers caused Bottom's "shoulder to 'pop,' tearing her rotator cuff and causing severe injury," according to the lawsuit. Bottoms attorneys also argue that officers were deliberately indifferent to the womans pain. Constitutional carry bill aims to eliminate handgun permits, Medic: Teen dead, driver seriously injured in crash on I-485 in west Charlotte, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video. Another officer involved in the traffic stop, only identified as Officer Smith, pulled ahead of Bottom and deployed spike strips that immediately immobilized her vehicle, the lawsuit says. Bottom said she was listening to music loudly in her car and did not realize she was being pulled over, according to the lawsuit. 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. The name Derek Barkalow has over 5 birth records, 0 death records, 3 criminal/court records, 13 address records, 5 phone records & more. As Rowan County Sheriff's Deputy Mark Benfield and Barkalow approached her vehicle they had their guns drawn and pointed at her, according to the lawsuit. SALISBURY Local residents expressed anger and called for transparency from city leaders and local law enforcement officers Tuesday regarding a 2019 traffic incident thats the center of a federal lawsuit alleging excessive force. State Representative - MICHAEL DEvIN Capitol Address: Home Address: House of Representatives 1 Hillcrest Rd. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages for the alleged use of excessive force and unlawful search of the plaintiff's purse and vehicle. "With each pump of his heart you could just see it coming out," Wilson added. Carter denied racing to the officer, who observed no signs that the 310-pound defensive lineman had been drinking, according to . Texas State Historical Association December 18, 2019. "Why are you doing this. Thats good police work, baby, he said, according to body-cam footage. Devin Barkalow M. Police Officer City of Salisbury. Sgt. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), School board questions why payroll issue took so long to resolve, Taking them back: Alumni cherish photo project, Salisbury High assembly, Medical marijuana passes in NC senate, Ford votes no, John Carr: Post switching to mail delivery next week. The clinic has partnered with Emancipate North Carolina, a civil rights nonprofit based in Durham. Barkalow remembers how female cadets were hazed and harassed back then. Eventually, Bottom received medical attention at the scene and was taken to the hospital, the lawsuit says. Authorities scoffed at her explanation, finding it hard to believe she didnt notice them for 10 miles. Adam Bouk of the Salisbury Police Department placed a handcuff on Bottom's left. Why? Natalie Anderson covers the city of Salisbury, politics and more for the Salisbury Post. She really looked confused and scared if anything. DEPUTY MARK BENFIELD. The LawsuitBottoms lawsuit claims officers used excessive force when they approached her at gunpoint and when they dragged her out of her SUV. She was cruising northbound on Interstate 85 in her Toyota Sequoia. Bottom was not available for comment this week. In situations like this, theyre so serious. Bottoms lawsuit indicates Barkalow also aimed his weapon at her. Real social injustice exists and you are prolonging any chance of a solution by floating this crap. Derek Barkalow Found. As she was handcuffed on the side of the road, the officers searched her vehicle and purse without her consent, a warrant, or probable cause which violated Bottom's Fourth Amendment rights, the lawsuit says. He is a white male registered to vote in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Bottom claims the officers refused to get her medical treatment even as she told them she was in pain, according to the lawsuit. let's integrate. Ms. He is expected to have his first court appearance Monday. Devin Michael Barkalow, Devin M Barkalow and Devin Michale Barkalow are some of the alias or nicknames that Devin has used. In addition to calling for the release of video footage, the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP is demanding a transparent investigation into the incident. The lawsuit alleges the officers were not disciplined for their actions. The officers pulled Bottom's arms behind her back while she shrieked in pain as sirens blared in the background, according to the footage. ROWAN COUNTY, NC (WBTV) - Salisbury police officers chased and shot the tires of a murder suspect's car during apursuit Friday, according to police. 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. The Salisbury Police Department and Rowan County Sheriffs Office could not be reached for comment by publication time. The second officer at the scene, Devin Brosnan, faces an aggravated assault charge for allegedly standing on Brooks' shoulders in the parking lot. A federal lawsuit filed by a Georgia woman claims officers from Salisbury and Rowan County used excessive force during a traffic stop in 2019 when they pulled her from the car by her hair and tore her rotator cuff. In the suit, Bottom says law enforcement officers used excessive force, drew their guns during the stop, pulled her out of the car by her hair and tore her rotator cuff. His femoral arteries in both legs had been severed by the gunshots. And the departments did not seem inclined to take action to hold these officers accountable. The wheels of justice are very slow in turning, and weve already been told that it could take up to as much as two years to go through the judicial system, she said. Bouk told her a cruiser pulled right beside her vehicle at one point during the pursuit and said she endangered a whole lot of people. Authorities indicated they also had their lights and sirens flashing as well. A Salisbury police officer involved in the stop bragged about grabbing a handful of dreads, and said at that point she earned it,' the lawsuit said, citing footage from the officers body camera. The lawsuit names Benfield and Barkalow as the two officers who did this. The Salisbury Police Department says the State Bureau of Investigation has declined to review the incident. Following the public comments, Mayor Pro Tem Al Heggins asked the city council to find a way to address the concerns and deliver transparency. 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. They are flat. "That was very disturbing . Whitney Peckman criticized local law enforcement for stating they want a good community relationship but choosing to gloss this over by hiding information about the incident until media reports. He was uninjured in the incident. We Found 1 Results For Devin Barkalow. This should anger all of us.. Saturday night. We publish narratives intentionally and specifically to enlighten and transform the world. They invoke such fear and distrust that we as a council have to think of a way in which we can respond, Heggins said. 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. I think that one of the main reasons we decided to get involved and impact litigation around traffic stops is that here, traffic stops are the main way that people interact with the police. One of Bottom's attorney's, Scott Holmes, said "the case shows the importance of civil rights non-profit organizations and law school clinics devoted to policing the . The two other charges were dismissed. Prescription Drugs - Possess Prescription Drugs. 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 camera that Bottom was a "f**king retard" and a "douche bag," according to the body camera footage. Eventually, Bottom received medical attention at the scene and was taken to the hospital, the lawsuit says. Her attorneys argue the officers didnt give the elderly woman enough time to exit her vehicle and acted recklessly by forcibly removing her. Officers used stop sticks and pulled Bottom over at gunpoint. According to the lawsuit, Bottom did not believe she was driving fast and did not think the police were trying to stop her. According to The Associated Press, it was about an hour before EMS arrived. I Feel So Violated: Wisconsin Car Salesman Urinates on Black Womans Drivers License She Left Behind After Test Drive, This You?: Twitter Calls Out Marjorie Taylor Greene for Ironically Saying People Should Respect Others With Different Views, Joy Reid Rips Apart Scott Adams As the Dilbert Cartoonist Doubles Down on Racist Comments. Two Salisbury Police officers honored for life-saving actions, N.C. Were not asking for much, Black said. Constitutional carry bill aims to eliminate handgun permits, Medic: Teen dead, driver seriously injured in crash on I-485 in west Charlotte, PLAN AHEAD: Latest Weather Forecast Video. Police detective Devin Barkalow (now with DHS) jumps out of moving car with gun drawn to ticket 68 year old woman for 10 over.she is African American.surprise/surprise VT: No police nationally will stop a car for 80 on an interstate highway where the speedlimit is 70. The Rowan County Sheriffs Office report does not address actions by Salisbury Police officer Barkalow. Bottom was not driving recklessly, she didnt lead officers on a high-speed chase, and she never intentionally tried to elude them, her attorneys contend. 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. Police then allegedly tore Bottoms rotator cuff as they detained her, shrieking, facedown on the pavement of the interstate. I think we all kind of saw this case the same way, which is this was an egregious example of excessive force. Atlanta Black Star is a narrative company. Attorneys for Bottom released video to the Charlotte Observer. Four law enforcement officers are named in the federal lawsuit filed in US District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. This case was filed in Seminole County Courts, Not Classified By Court located in Seminole, Florida. Were asking for simple things that should already be in place.. 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. 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 issued Bottom a summons, charging her with "speeding failure to heed blue lights, and resisting, delaying, and obstructing an officer for allegedly refusing to get out of her vehicle and pulling away from the officer," according to the lawsuit. 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. Officers Benfield, Barkalow, and Adam Bouk then forced her arms behind her back, tearing her rotator cuff. If she was just chilling there being compliant than fuck yeah thats excessive, but they are trained (rightfully) to get a dangerous and non compliant operator of a vehicle out of said vehicle. The officers knew it was a life or death situation. JAMES R. MORGAN, JR. Womble Bond Dickinson (us) LLP contact info. He identified her on the radio as an older Black female. A frustrated Barkalow called Bottom a fucking retard and a douche bag while chasing her in his squad car. This mission encompasses functions of courthouse security, civil process, operation of detention facility, investigations and community patrol., Blotter: Man accused of armed robbery apprehended after short chase, Blotter: Victims in shooting discharged from hospitals, Monday morning car shooting leaves two hospitalized. 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. Theyre so disturbing. Court: Fourth Circuit North Carolina US District . Shouldnt have been stupid. The car was stopped when they apprehended her. Bottom was peaceful at all times, and officers knew they were dealing with an elderly woman, said Ian Mance, a lawyer with EmancipateNC who represents Bottom. She was "terrified," according to the lawsuit, as officers shouted at her to exit the vehicle. 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. She is requesting a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages and the costs of court and attorney fees to be covered. The other officers named in the suit are Adam . Derek Chauvin trial juror details courtroom experience, deliberations: 'You're watching somebody die on a daily basis'. Officers had guns drawn 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. Police say Sifford is facing multiple drug charges and was also charged with fleeing to elude arrest in a motor vehicle. Youre going to jail now, the policeman responded. A gray-headed, Black lady driving 10 miles over the speed limit, Peckman said. View Devin B. 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. 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. So when things go wrong with the police, that is very often in the context of traffic stops.. 'White privilege and entitlement:' NC city official fired after refusing to address woman by doctoral title. Anger is only one of the emotions I felt when I witnessed the video of what transpired between Ms. Stephanie Bottom and the officers in 2019. Officers issued Bottom a summons, charging her with "speeding failure to heed blue lights, and resisting, delaying, and obstructing an officer for allegedly refusing to get out of her vehicle and pulling away from the officer," according to the lawsuit. Her attorneys said she had to foot the bill for medical treatments, repairs to her SUV and was left to grapple with the emotional fallout of her encounter. Derek Chauvin trial juror details courtroom experience, deliberations: 'You're watching somebody die on a daily basis'. 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