Fully restrained inmate in wheelchair sprayed with pepper spray and almost suffocates

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Oldgamer

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Jan 15, 2013
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They had him bound in a wheelchair and put a (spit shield) cloth over his face and directly sprayed pepper spray into the gap of the spit shield covering his face. He couldn't breathe and was convulsing. He was left in the holding cell like this for hours with no medical attention. Unbelievable video capturing them doing this.

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Link to the actual Video of the incident

On December 9, 2013 an inmate was brought to the Rutherford County (TN) Sheriff's Office jail facility on a charge of "Resisting" and "Hold - Other Department". The inmate was placed into a restraint chair in the sally port, which binds your wrists and ankles into restraints, as well as various straps to limit movement.

Upon being brought into Holding Cell #133, a strap that goes across the inmate's legs to keep movement limited came loose. According to department records, this strap had been malfunctioning for several months prior.

Deputy James Vanderveer, who was re-hired after being forced to resign due to a DUI arrest, and is the nephew of Sheriff Robert Arnold, enters the holding cell and begins to re-secure the strap. The inmate's ankles and wrists are still securely in their restraints and he is unable to move his legs or arms more than an inch or two. There appears to be no struggle taking place when Deputy Vanderveer sprays pepper spray into the gap in his spit shield. The spit shield remains in place for ten minutes before being removed.
For one hour and fifteen minutes, the inmate receives no medical attention and can be seen convulsing, yelling for help, and struggling.

Deputy Vanderveer stated in a subsequent incident report that the inmate was combative and that his legs had come lose, which is contradictory to video evidence.

Jail supervisors later documented that they informed him that "he better write a good report and ... hoped he could justify spraying someone while they were restrained in a restraint chair." Deputy Vanderveer later received a written reprimand for "Dispropotionate Use of Force" and is still employed as a sheriff's deputy.

Sources: RCSO Incident #33690, RCSO Complaint #13120964007, RCSO Booking #329368, Report of Action from Cpt. Derrell Cagle Re: James Vanderveer on 12/12/13,
 
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BUnit1701

Senior member
May 1, 2013
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They had him bound in a wheelchair and put a (spit shield) cloth over his face and directly sprayed pepper spray into the gap of the spit shield covering his face. He couldn't breathe and was convulsing. He was left in the holding cell like this for hours with no medical attention. Unbelievable video capturing them doing this.

-----------------------------

Link to the actual Video of the incident

On December 9, 2013 an inmate was brought to the Rutherford County (TN) Sheriff's Office jail facility on a charge of "Resisting" and "Hold - Other Department". The inmate was placed into a restraint chair in the sally port, which binds your wrists and ankles into restraints, as well as various straps to limit movement.

Upon being brought into Holding Cell #133, a strap that goes across the inmate's legs to keep movement limited came loose. According to department records, this strap had been malfunctioning for several months prior.

Deputy James Vanderveer, who was re-hired after being forced to resign due to a DUI arrest, and is the nephew of Sheriff Robert Arnold, enters the holding cell and begins to re-secure the strap. The inmate's ankles and wrists are still securely in their restraints and he is unable to move his legs or arms more than an inch or two. There appears to be no struggle taking place when Deputy Vanderveer sprays pepper spray into the gap in his spit shield. The spit shield remains in place for ten minutes before being removed.
For one hour and fifteen minutes, the inmate receives no medical attention and can be seen convulsing, yelling for help, and struggling.
Deputy Vanderveer stated in a subsequent incident report that the inmate was combative and that his legs had come lose, which is contradictory to video evidence.

Jail supervisors later documented that they informed him that "he better write a good report and ... hoped he could justify spraying someone while they were restrained in a restraint chair." Deputy Vanderveer later received a written reprimand for "Dispropotionate Use of Force" and is still employed as a sheriff's deputy.

Sources: RCSO Incident #33690, RCSO Complaint #13120964007, RCSO Booking #329368, Report of Action from Cpt. Derrell Cagle Re: James Vanderveer on 12/12/13,

And that after coming back from a DUI. Gotta love the Good 'Ol Boys club.
 

Oldgamer

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2013
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Yea I read that. They pretty much get away with anything it seems these days. How nice it is to get to keep your job after you were caught and charged with a DUI.
 

dainthomas

Lifer
Dec 7, 2004
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Unbelievable. Think these two will be charged with a crime? I expect not.

This guy almost certainly has lawyers beating down his door to take the cop and/or the depatment to the cleaners. As he should.
 

Brovane

Diamond Member
Dec 18, 2001
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This guy almost certainly has lawyers beating down his door to take the cop and/or the depatment to the cleaners. As he should.

Really the taxpayers get taken to the cleaners. The Cop's involved will not have to pay out one cent.
 

Sonikku

Lifer
Jun 23, 2005
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All I'm hear is a lot of "Waaaaahh! My free health care isn't as good as I think it should be!"
 

DucatiMonster696

Diamond Member
Aug 13, 2009
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Really the taxpayers get taken to the cleaners. The Cop's involved will not have to pay out one cent.

And he will keep his job thanks to his strong public union because allowing all police officers to unionize was a wonderful idea.
 
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Oldgamer

Diamond Member
Jan 15, 2013
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What is really scary is that these things we see in the media on almost a daily basis now of cops abusing, neglecting and breaking the law, are only the ones who just happened to get caught on camera. Just think how much abuse, neglect and law breaking is going on that we don't know about?

Jeesh, look at Arizona's very own Sheriff Joe Arpaio and what he has been doing to inmates.
 

NoStateofMind

Diamond Member
Oct 14, 2005
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Really the taxpayers get taken to the cleaners. The Cop's involved will not have to pay out one cent.

Until we all recognize that those of authority should be subject to the same laws and punishments as the rest of us it will continue. Many think they deserve leniency but all this does is create a separate class. When laws are different for some than they are for others it not only encourages deplorable behavior but also fairness and equality of law cannot exist.
 
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