Harassment and disability

[TompoL]

Hi all,

I have condition called cervical dystonia. It is an illness that is related to Parkinsons and causes involuntary movement of the neck and shoulder including tremors. In my case, my right shoulder is permanently around my right ear and I have extreme pain with some mild tremors.

In the past two months, I have been passed fit to drive, but have subsequently been stopped by the police 9 times. I don't drive a lot so this accounts for a 100% record in terms of police vehicles I have noticed on the roads and they have stopped me.

In each occassion, the latest being yesterday and despite explaining my condition, I have been put in the back of a car and asked to explain the reason why I looked "suspicious" as I past them or they past me. Most have said they have never heard of cervial dystonia. I now reply "I thought you were a police officer not a doctor." I am getting totally fed up with it. I have also being stopped and questioned by police while walking on the street because I looked "suspicious". Recently I was stopped by a store detective in a supermarket.

I have absolutely no criminal record let alone been involved with the police since the onset of the illness.

Is there anything I can do to stop this? My two young kids now start crying everytime they see a police car (whether it's myself or wife driving), I'm totally paranoid about going out. I've thought about complaining but would that make me a "target"? Any thoughts welcome.

Best Wishes

[Davethedog]

A really polite letter explaning your situation to the Superintendant of your local station. OR Carry a letter from your doctor explaning your condition. You shouldn't have to do either but its the only thing I can suugest.

[Toureman]

Make an official complaint to the Chief constable of your area.

They have to by law answer you.

It also cost them around £1000 to carry out an investigation so they won't hassle you.

if it happens again send them another official complaint.

[TWR]

Hello, regards your condition, I would think in the discretion of the police they would be thinking on the safety side of things here, I fully feel for you & your complaint, please, I am not been judgemental on this but, does this effect your Immediate response to an emergency? with the volume of traffic on the roads / towns your response on the brakes has to be instantaneous in some cases, can you 100% be satisfied that you can meet this? I am not being offensive in any way possible, & I hope you do not take offence by my answer as none was intended, My concern is on the side of the safety, & how quick you can react.

[sara3]

have you considered contacting The Dystonia Society to see what they suggest?

[stanbesida]

I am so sorry to hear of your illness but I wondere whether a note from your doctor would help, which you could show to the police if stopped again, if you don't mind me asking, are you male or female, are you white or coloured, and how old are you? I am only asking this as a matter of interest as the police seem to stop teenagers for no reason and especially if they are coloured. You could contact your M.P. or the C.A.B. and ask them to investigate this matter, otherwise I would contact a solicitor and ask them to write to the police and tell them that you will be suing them for harrasment if this continues as you shoukl be able to get a letter written on legal aid. I hope this has helped in some way. John