Chicago Injury Attorney Blog

In Chicago, the family of an autistic teenager is accusing a local police officer of hitting their son. They say that 16-year-old Oscar Guzman was standing on the sidewalk outside his family’s fast-food restaurant in the Pilsen area on Wednesday night when he was questioned by two Chicago cops.

Because Guzman has autism, he wasn’t able to comprehend the questions and began walking away from the Chicago police officers. The cops went after him, and Guzman fled into the restaurant, shouting out that he is a “special boy.” His parents also told the cops that Guzman had special needs.

Despite their explanations, one police officer reportedly struck Guzman in the head with a baton and eight staples had to be put on his gash. His parents say they saw the Chicago police brutality attack. Guzman, who has mild autism, has the mental faculties of a 5th grader.

The Chicago Police Department is investigating the civil rights violation allegations. Guzman’s family says they may file a police brutality lawsuit against the cops.

The alleged Chicago police beating took place at a time when the police department is promoting its award-winning Crisis Intervention Team, which trains officer to be cognizant of citizens with disabilities or mental illnesses.

Autism
• 1 out of 160 children are diagnosed with autism.
• Police offices are seven times more likely to interact with a person who is developmentally disabled than a member of the general public.
• Certain characteristics associated with autism, such as ignoring questions and avoiding eye contact, are also the signs that officers are trained to watch out for when examining suspects.
• People with autism tend to be very sensitive and merely touching an autistic person can aggravate them.

Unfortunately, this is not the only incident in the US involving allegations that a police officer used excessive violence on someone with autism.

• A 12-year-old boy reportedly was Tasered by police because he refused to line up to have his picture taken.
• A local police chief yelled out to a crying autistic girl and her mother to leave a restaurant.

Family claims Chicago police officer beat autistic teenager, Chicago Tribune, April 25, 2009

Police Chief Orders Crying Autistic Child And Mother To Leave Restaurant, The Consumerist, July 14, 2008

A 12-year-old autistic boy got tased for making trouble at school, PoliceBrutalityInfo, March 3, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Autism Society of America

Chicago's finest under fire for brutality, CNN.com, September 28, 2007