Amidst a gathering of community members and activists at KingDemetrius Pendleton’s Listen2Us Studio, an emotional and powerful broadcast unfolded on Radio KFAI’s 90.3 FM’s “The Conversation with Al McFarlane.” This session, focusing on the broader implications of police interactions with disabled individuals, follows a similar discussion hosted by Al McFarlane late last year, featuring guests Matt Thied and Beth Blick discussing the disability justice movement, including critical issues like accessibility accommodations and police brutality against disabled persons.
During the broadcast, Jason Heisler, father of the late Kobe Heisler, shared the harrowing details of his son’s untimely death. “Kobe was autistic, and during a mental health crisis, instead of receiving help, he faced the fatal consequences of inadequate police training,” Jason Heisler Heisler explained. He pointed out a disturbing statistic that resonates deeply within the disability rights community: “54% of the people police kill are disabled. If you consider drug addiction a disability, then that number goes through the roof.”
Kobe, a Black autistic man, faced systemic failures that culminated in a fatal response from the police during a moment when he needed compassion and specialized intervention, not aggression. His tragic story underscores a critical need for reform in how police handle interactions with individuals experiencing mental health crises, emphasizing themes discussed in previous episodes with Beth Blick, who shared her own experiences of victimization by police due to her disabilities.
The details of Kobe’s encounter with law enforcement paint a grim picture of the current state of police training regarding disability. Jason Heisler described how the officers spent crucial minutes not de-escalating the situation but instead pressing Kobe in a manner antithetical to crisis intervention best practices. “And then he got up to run and they shot him in the head,” Jason Heisler said, highlighting the dire need for accountability and specialized training for police officers.
The conversation also included insights from Reverend Dr. Thomas Nins, who emphasized the historical persistence of such crises and the criminal nature of the injustices often faced by marginalized communities. “The actions were criminal, the court proceedings were criminal,” Reverend Nins lamented, echoing a sentiment of systemic failure that transcends individual incidents to highlight broader societal issues.
This broadcast not only shared Kobe’s story but also served as a critical platform for advocating for necessary changes in police training and the protection of disability rights. The community’s response, as voiced by Spike Moss, reflected a deep frustration with the current state of law enforcement. Moss revealed chilling encounters with officers who confided in him about the presence of Nazi uniforms at the courthouse, symbolizing a deeply ingrained culture of hatred and extremism within parts of the police force.
These revelations call for a significant overhaul of police training programs, particularly those concerning interactions with disabled individuals. The current training, as Jason Heisler Heisler poignantly critiqued, is grossly insufficient. “Nurses, doctors, school teachers, and bouncers never shoot anyone in the head because they would be held accountable,” he argued, pointing to a dire need for accountability and specialized training for police officers.
The conversation at George Floyd Square not only mourned Kobe Heisler but also amplified a call to action for justice and systemic reform. It highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to police training that includes a deep understanding and respect for the complexities of mental health and disability.
As the community continues to rally for change, the story of Kobe Heisler remains a powerful reminder of the work that remains. “We need private security to take our garbage out,” Jason Heisler expressed, encapsulating the profound distrust between the community and the police force. This session, filled with grief and advocacy, reiterated the collective resolve to ensure that Kobe’s death catalyzes a movement towards a more just and compassionate system—one that truly serves and protects all citizens, regardless of their mental health or disability status.
