Male Officers and Female Victims: The Death of Sandra Bland & What We Can Learn

Sherri Jefferson Speaks: Male Officers and Female Victims: The Death of Sandra Bland & What We Can Learn

This episode will discuss the death of Sandra Bland and what we ALL can learn from her police citizen encounter.  We will discuss the role of male officers and their encounters with female victims; we will discuss the role of culture, race and social backgrounds and how those variables may adversely affect police citizen encounters.  We will discuss issues related to arrest, bail and how families of victims or subjects can help their loved ones attain release, attorney assistance or bail if they are out of state, etc. Look at her nose and face on her jail photo

According to news sources from the New York Times, Washington Post and Fox:

The investigation into the death of Sandra Bland is being treated like a murder investigation, a district attorney said Monday . . .

According to newly released police video, a Texas trooper threatened Sandra Bland with a Taser when he ordered her out of her vehicle during a traffic stop . . .

Texas legislators who saw the video of Ms. Bland’s July 10 traffic stop condemned the actions of the officer during her arrest . . .

Colloquy between Ms. Bland and Officer Brian T. Encinia:

1. “You seem very irritated,” he said.
2. “I am, I really am,” she said. She said she had pulled over to get out of his way and was now getting stopped and written up because of it.
3. “You mind putting out your cigarette?” he asked testily.
4. “I’m in my own car. I don’t have to put out my cigarette,” she said.
5. When he ordered her out of the car, she refused.
6. “I’m going to yank you out,” Trooper Encinia shouted.

Ms. Bland was found hung three days later.