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. against her in a 2019 traffic stop, the Salisbury-Rowan NAACP is calling for accountability and transparency from local law enforcement agencies. Derek Chauvin trial juror details courtroom experience, deliberations: 'You're watching somebody die on a daily basis'. The other officers did not respond to requests for comment. Contact reporter Natalie Anderson at 704-797-4246. 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. 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. The arresting officers involved were identified as Salisbury police officers Adam Bouk and Devin Barkalow, Rowan County sheriff's deputy Mark Benfield, and a Highway Patrol trooper only . attempted to drive around the Stop Sticks that were used to deflate her tires. Some of those images can be seen immediately below: Former Salisbury Police officer Devin Barkalow is accused of pulling Bottom out of the vehicle by her hair. 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. Devin Barkalow M in 2015 was employed in City Of Salisbury and had a reported pay of $12,446 according to public records. Bottom, now 68 years old, is a Black librarian. They are flat. We need law enforcement to serve and protect. The following alternative links are available: Note: this is a bot providing a directory service. "That was very disturbing . In the lawsuit, 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. We as a council have to say more than, be patient. We have to say more than let the process play out. According to a July 2020 report from the North Carolina Justice Analysis Review, Black motorists were stopped at a rate twice as high as white drivers in the Tar Heel State, and almost 1.5 times the rates of other races. Sifford was recently indicted on murder charges from a 2014death investigation. Derek Chauvin trial juror details courtroom experience, deliberations: 'You're watching somebody die on a daily basis'. Bottom claims the officers refused to get her medical treatment even as she told them she was in pain, according to the lawsuit. Bottoms lawsuit disagrees with the Rowan County Sheriffs Office assessment, saying defendants were deliberately indifferent to the fact that their use of force was unreasonable, excessive and without lawful justification or excuse; and thus a violation of both statutory and constitutional law.. Stephanie Bottom was making the six-hour trek from Atlanta to Raleigh, North Carolina, to attend her aunts funeral. Eventually, Bottom received medical attention at the scene and was taken to the hospital, the lawsuit says. He left the police force for a role in federal law enforcement over a year ago. During this time, Bouk is heard on the body camera footage saying, "That's good police work baby" to other officers, according to the suit. "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. This is a military officer and this is a woman, the two pictures are saying. The force applied by the officers caused Bottom's "shoulder to 'pop,' tearing her rotator cuff and causing severe injury," according to the lawsuit. In this conversation. One of the officers named in the lawsuit, Devin Barkalow, declined to comment to the Charlotte Observer but no longer works for the police department. Acting quickly, they reached forcombat arm tourniquets. The 68-year-old Georgia woman, Stephanie Bottom, filed the lawsuit Wednesday in federal court for North Carolinas Middle District about her treatment during the stop involving Salisbury Police and the Rowan County Sheriffs Office. 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. Look at the tires in the beginning. After the search, officers told Bottom to stand, but she said she couldn't due to the pain in her shoulder, according to the suit. 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 . View Devin Barkalow's record in Wild Rose, WI including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. She had her hands up and was attempting to exit the vehicle, but it was difficult to do so quickly because of her age and medical conditions. AccuWeather: AM showers before a mild afternoon, Extra Time: Breaking down massive NYC, NYPD settlement, Teammate facing charges in crash that killed local UGA player, ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News Stream, Artemis Moshtaghian, Melissa Alonso and Amanda Jackson. 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. Six locals spoke during the Salisbury City Councils public comment session Tuesday, condemning the actions depicted in the body camera footage, emphasizing mistrust in local officers among Black and brown residents and calling for city leaders to be transparent and hold law enforcement accountable. She is requesting a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages and the costs of court and attorney fees to be covered. What have I done wrong? Bottom cried out, growing increasingly incredulous. Lawsuit to be filed against police after Calif. man dies while being restrained by police. Neither the Salisbury Police Department nor the Rowan County Sheriffs Office immediately responded to requests for comment Thursday. 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 suit says she was going 10 mph over the speed limit 80 mph in a 70 mph zone. Cutting over lanes to cut us off. Within seconds of arriving at her driver's side door, officers grabbed the by her arm and hair and pulled her from her vehicle to the ground. One of the officers named in the lawsuit, Devin Barkalow, declined to comment to the Charlotte Observer but no longer works for the police department. let's integrate. Bottom appeared befuddled at the officers aggressive response. Please, why are you doing this to me?, It was a simple traffic stop, thats all we had to do, Benfield told her. 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. And theyre the ones we fear the most.. She then proceeded to take them on a 10 mile chase. I am exhausted with seeing Black bodies abused, tortured and sometimes killed by police officers for minor traffic infractions or other incidents that should not end in death, Dancy said. The suit alleges that in his official capacity he "approved and condoned the unlawful behavior.". The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court for North Carolinas Middle District by Stephanie Bottom of Atlanta, claims she posed no threat to officers from the Salisbury Police Department and the Rowan County Sheriffs Office when she was pulled over in May 2019. Defendant. Thats when she pulled over to the highways median. After Benfields initial attempt to pull Bottom over, a roughly 14-mile chase ensued and ended when law enforcement officers eventually flattening Bottoms tires in Davidson County, The incident report states Benfield commanded the driver to exit the vehicle to which she refused to obey commands several times. Body camera footage. Officers had their sirens on for at least 10 minutes, according to body camera footage that is cited in the lawsuit and was reviewed by CNN. The first cop seems to understand that this is an older lady and doesn't seem to present an immediate threat. Bottom is suing the city of Salisbury, two of the citys police officers and a Rowan County sheriffs deputy who were involved in the May 30, 2019 incident. Child Endangerment/abuse-non Serious Inj; Domestic Abuse Assault Impeding Flow Of Air/Blood; Domestic Abuse Assault-Injury Or Mental Illness-1st. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. How many more Black and brown people are going to be hurt and killed by the hands of officers, Miller said. Devin Barkalow M Overview. The man was later identified as William Scott Kerr, Jr., 31. The force applied by the officers caused Bottom's "shoulder to 'pop,' tearing her rotator cuff and causing severe injury," according to the lawsuit. I know that they leave their homes every shift not knowing if they will make it back safely., She continued, But this evening, I am an angry Black woman. Bottom was not available for comment this week. CNN has reached out to Rowan County Sheriff's Department for comment but has not yet heard back. Mary Walker also denounced the incident depicted in body camera footage on behalf of Women for Community Justice. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 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. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Blotter: Man accused of armed robbery apprehended after short chase, Blotter: Victims in shooting discharged from hospitals, Monday morning car shooting leaves two hospitalized. The name Derek Barkalow has over 5 birth records, 0 death records, 3 criminal/court records, 13 address records, 5 phone records & more. According to the lawsuit, Bottom did not believe she was driving fast and did not think the police were trying to stop her. Former Salisbury Police officer Devin Barkalow is accused of pulling Bottom out of the vehicle by her hair. Stop Sticks, a brand name tire deflation device used by law enforcement agencies, were deployed at mile marker 87 about 14 miles away from where the chase started and near the point where I-85 splits into I-85 Business near the Davidson County Airport. Prescription Drugs - Possess Prescription Drugs. An internal investigation is pending. According to the Observer, Barkalow said he no longer works for the Salisbury Police Department. All rights reserved. So why was it necessary to handle an old lady so aggressively when she is sitting in a car and there are a dozen other cops on the scene? Shouldnt have been stupid. It wasn't just me, it was Officer Barkalow, it wasn't just me and Officer Barkalow, it was Baker team of the Salisbury Police Department, it took all of us to do that". 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. A March report from the review panel, which is part of the Governors Crime Commission, showed that Black drivers are also searched nearly twice the rate as white and Hispanics in North Carolina, and more than three times the rate of other races. Devin Barkalow M Overview. 25.2k members in the USNEWS community. Police say Sifford is facing multiple drug charges and was also charged with fleeing to elude arrest in a motor vehicle. 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. 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. The officers knew it was a life or death situation. Bottom asks for a jury trial, compensatory and punitive damages as well as court costs and attorneys fees. Some of the other officers congratulated each other for a job well done, the lawsuit alleges. 2 State House Station Newcastle, ME 04553 Augusta, ME 04333-0002 Cell: (207) 975-3132 (207) 287-1400 TTY: (207) 287-4469 [email protected] State Representative - CHLOE S. MAxMIN Capitol Address: Home Address: Many more people die in car accidents than because of guns and whatnot. CHRISTIAN FERLAN Hall Booth Smith, P.C. Bottom claimed she was driving 70 mph or 75 mph with her music turned up so loudly that she couldnt hear the sirens. Like the officers who leave their home not knowing if they will safely return, many of us feel the exact same way every single day. When police vehicles pulled behind her, Bottom continued driving for another 10 miles, oblivious, she says, to the fact that they were trying to stop her for speeding. The suit alleges that in his official capacity he "approved and condoned the unlawful behavior.". The lawsuit seeks monetary damages for the alleged use of excessive force and unlawful search of the plaintiff's purse and vehicle. 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. snip. Bouk yelled that theyd been following her trying to get her to stop for over 10 miles. CNN has reached out to Rowan County Sheriff's Department for comment but has not yet heard back. 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