Deaf students learn what to do in police encounters

MORGANTON, N.C. — North Carolina Highway Patrol released a picture of Trooper Jermaine Saunders who shot and killed Daniel Harris, a deaf Charlotte man, after a brief police pursuit.

A leading U.S. disability organization is demanding police undergo more training for people with disabilities.

Eyewitness News Dave Faherty visited the North Carolina School for the Deaf in Morganton to find out how students are taught to handle encounters with officers.

Not only are the students taught what to do, but public safety officers also are aware of the challenges they can face during routine calls. 

Student Martha Evans said there are several things she knows to do if that ever happens including showing a card explaining she is deaf. 

"As the officer is speaking to you, it is important to point at your ear so they know that you're deaf," she said. "And then the police officer will realize and you point up to your visor and pull the card out. It shows deaf."

Student Gustavo Lucha demonstrated to Faherty what he was taught first during driver training at the North Carolina School for the Deaf as the officer approaches.

"You turn on your hazard lights and always keep your hands on the steering wheel," he said.

Morganton Public Safety Capt. William Devinny said there are several officers who have received specialized training to help during traffic stops and other calls involving deaf residents.

"We do have a lot of officers who go to special classes who learn sign language that is very specific to our line of work," Devinny said.
 
School leaders said they are in close contact with authorities in the Morganton and they instruct students on how to interact with law enforcement.
"We teach our kids to have a lot of respect for officers," principal Dave Clark said. "Always cooperate with the officers and never be afraid of the police."
 
Many at the North Carolina School for the deaf have heard about the fatal shooting in Charlotte.

Some believe what happened may be something both police and those in the deaf community can learn from.
"We offer our condolences for the family and friends also," Clark said.

Morganton Public Safety officials said they also have officers who are highly trained in sign language where more communication is needed.

Harris' family and the local deaf community held a memorial for Tuesday night.

Harris was killed outside his home on Seven Oaks drive Thursday.
 
The State Bureau of Investigation said they are gathering dashcam video from the shooting last week and have yet to review it.

Cox Media Group