A Culture Clash Between Police and the Deaf

by

Jean F. Andrews, Ph.D.

There is often a conflict between the Deaf and the police. This combustion fuels itself by the marked differences in belief systems and communication methods. Deaf people in the United States make up a distinct group because their worldview—by necessity—is visual. They are powerful because of their shared experience, history, heritage, and language. They resist discrimination, in which hearing people limit and deny their Deaf cultural identity, particularly their use of ASL.

The foundations of police culture are—on the one hand—clannishness, gang-like loyalty, the power of authority, the use of lethal force, the crime fighter image, mistrust of the public, masculinity, and shared fear of physical danger. On the other hand, however, it is also a culture of strength and physical fitness, integrity, transparency, negotiation skills, compassion, and empathy as they work hard to keep our streets safe. These two unique cultures often clash, with horrific results.

Police verbally command and interrogate, while most Deaf people communicate visually through ASL. Since a Deaf person may not hear or understand those commands, they may not respond—or worse—do the opposite. Police often interpret that as willful non-compliance. Deaf people commonly tap an individual on the shoulder or wave their hands to get attention. Officers can tend to see that behavior as threatening. Cops can talk without making eye contact, while Deaf persons communicate eye-to-eye.

Another issue is using bright flashing lights on their vehicles and blinding LED flashlights. While these devices offer no impediment to the hearing officers, they are overwhelming to the Deaf, thus eliminating their primary method of communication. Police officers may raise their voices or change their tone to express authority, anger, friendliness, or understanding. Deaf people express emotions using a more expansive signing space, with exaggerated facial expressions and body language.

Many native Deaf have never heard their own voices. Therefore, they tend to be loud and unintelligible. Sometimes, this phenomenon is known as Deafspeak.

Consequently, police can misconstrue their cacophonous sounds and exaggerated, dramatic signing as aggressive, hostile, and even violent. Deaf people often feel helpless and hopeless when stopped by a police officer because they cannot communicate their side of the story. Deaf people prefer a qualified sign language interpreter because, for many, speech, lipreading, and even writing notes do not allow them to participate in conversations with law enforcement fully.

Deaf people do not want to put their hands behind their backs in handcuffs or plastic ties because this is the equivalent of gagging a hearing person. They prefer to be cuffed in the front of the body so they can use their hands to sign, gesture, or write. Cuffing any individual behind the back creates a feeling of helplessness, but to a Deaf person, it also cuts off their ability to communicate.

With the support of the National Association of the Deaf and their Law and Advocacy Center, the Deaf community has become increasingly informed and legally savvy about their Constitutional rights protected by the American Disabilities Act, among other state and federal laws. HEARD has posted 65 cases of police assault against Deaf persons using tasing, beatings, kicking, shooting, chokeholds, among other physical restraints. Sixteen of these cases horrifically resulted in fatalities.

Florida Department of Corrections

Education—one of the best preventative medicines—can keep our diverse communities safe and inclusive with equitable treatment through accessible communication and respect for each other’s cultural differences. It’s the law.

Edited by BitcoDavid

Previously published in Beaumont Enterprise, Sunday, April 10, 2022

Jean F. Andrews, Ph.D., is a professor emeritus, Department of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas. Her recent co-authored book is the third edition of Deaf People in Society: Evolving Perspectives in Psychology, Education, and Sociology, published by Routledge (with Irene Leigh, Cara Miller, and Ju Lee Wolsey).