An emotional and powerful broadcast unfolded on KFAI Radio 90.3 FM’s “Conversations with Al McFarlane” as community members and activists gathered at the Listen2Us studios in King Demetrius Pendleton. Focusing on the broader impacts of police interactions with people with disabilities, the session follows a similar roundtable hosted by Al McFarlane late last year, in which guests Matt Teed and Beth Brick discussed the disability justice movement, and also addressed key issues such as accessible accommodations and police violence against people with disabilities.
During the broadcast, Jason Heisler, father of the late Kobe Heisler, shared the harrowing details of his son’s untimely death. “Kobe was autistic, and instead of receiving help during a mental health crisis, he faced the deadly consequences of inadequate police training,” Jason Heisler explained. He pointed to a disturbing statistic that resonates deeply with disability rights groups: “54% of people killed by police are people with a disability. If you consider drug addiction a disability, then that number goes through the roof.”
Kobe, a Black autistic man, faced systemic failures that led to a deadly police response at a time when he needed compassion and specialized intervention, not aggression. His tragic story highlights the need for serious reform in how police handle interactions with individuals in mental health crisis, and highlights a theme discussed in a previous episode with Beth Brick, who shared her own experience of being victimized by police due to her disability.
The details of Kobe’s encounter with police shed light on the bleak state of police training regarding disabilities. Jason Heisler described how, far from de-escalating the situation, the officers spent critical minutes subduing Kobe in a manner that goes against best practices for crisis intervention. “And then he got up and tried to run, and they shot him in the head,” he said, highlighting the desperate need for accountability and specialized training for police officers.
The conversation also included insights from Rev. Thomas Nins, who highlighted the historical roots of these crises and the criminal nature of the injustices marginalized communities often face. “The acts are criminal, the court procedures are criminal,” lamented Rev. Nins, echoing a sentiment of systemic failure that goes beyond individual cases to highlight broader societal issues.
The broadcast not only told Kobe’s story, but also served as an important platform to advocate for needed changes in police training and the protection of disability rights. The community response reflected a deep dissatisfaction with the current state of law enforcement, as expressed by Spike Moss. Moss revealed a horrifying encounter with an officer who revealed to him that he had a Nazi uniform in court, emblematic of the culture of hatred and extremism that is deeply ingrained within parts of the police force.
These revelations call for a major overhaul of police training programs, especially those related to working with people with disabilities. As Jason Heisler has scathingly criticized, the current training is woefully inadequate. “Nurses, doctors, school teachers and bouncers would never shoot someone in the head because they would be held accountable,” he argued, pointing out the desperate need for accountability and specialized training for police officers.
The conversations at George Floyd Square not only mourned Kobe Heisler, but also strengthened calls for justice and systemic reform, and highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to police training that includes a deeper understanding and respect for the complexities of mental health and disability.
As the community continues to come together for change, Kobe Heisler’s case is a stark reminder of the work that remains. “We need private security to take up the trash,” said Jason Heisler, summing up the deep-rooted mistrust between communities and police. In a session filled with grief and advocacy, we all committed to ensuring that Kobe’s death inspires a movement toward a more just and compassionate system that truly serves and protects all citizens, regardless of mental condition or disability.