San Francisco Chronicle



S.F.Police Being Trained How To Arrest Disabled Protesters


San . Francisco police are bracing for a demonstration this month in which they may arrest dozens of wheelchair-bound protesters, an event that poses special problems for officers.

Groups of officers have been taking a two-hour class at the Police Academy aimed at teaching them how to arrest and search disabled people and prevent wheelchairs from being used as weapons.

The demonstration is planned in conjunction with the October 1'/-23 [sic] annual convention at Moscone Center of the American Health Care Association, an organization of nursing home and residential-care facility operators.

A Denver group that goes by the name ADAPT, an acronym for Americans Disabled for Attendant Programs Today, plans to have 400 protesters at the convention, said Michael Auberger, its organizer and co-founder.

ADAPT wants some of the federal money that goes to nursing homes and residential-care facilities to go for attendant care for disabled people who live on their own.

“Over the years, we've used various tactics in different situations," Auberger said. “We're very confrontational, and we're going to make sure we get in their face."

The Police Academy courses are being taught by Paul Imperiale, the mayor's disability coordinator.

He said officers are learning how to search a -person they have arrested without harming the person. Police also are being warned that some protesters may have life-support devices that must be handled with care.

Vans with special wheelchair lifts will be available to take away arrested demonstrators.

Created on

Tuesday 16 July 2013

Posted on

Thursday 29 November 2018

Tags

ADAPT - American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today, AHCA - American Health Care Association, arrests, lift equipped vans, mayor's disability coordinator, Mike Auberger, Moscone Center, Paul Imperiale, San Francisco, special police training

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