Officers suspended in case of woman who miscarried

CNN.com/Associated Press ^ | February 2, 2007 | CNN

[ActionNewsBill]

KANSAS CITY, Missouri (AP) -- Two police officers were suspended indefinitely with pay Thursday as an investigation continued into their arrest of a pregnant woman who had a miscarriage a day after she was thrown in jail.

The suspensions came two days after police released a videotape showing Sofia Salva telling officers during her arrest last year that she was three months pregnant, bleeding and needed to go to a hospital.

The tape shows officers ignoring her pleas. After the ninth request, the tape shows, a female officer asked: "How is that my problem?" (Watch police arrest Salva Video)

The officers' behavior is "inconsistent with the values and policies of this department and inconsistent with the training they received in the police academy," Chief James Corwin said at a news conference Thursday.

Salva, 32, has sued officers Melody Spencer and Kevin Schnell and the police department for wrongful death and personal injuries. Salva is seeking actual damages exceeding $25,000 and punitive damages. She was arrested February 5 and held overnight on traffic violations and outstanding city warrants.

After being released the next morning, she delivered a premature baby boy who died immediately after birth, according to the lawsuit filed Friday in Jackson County Circuit Court. Corwin said he felt the incident was serious enough to suspend the officers even though an internal investigation is not complete.

"I ask for patience from the community as we investigate this incident," Corwin said. "I regret that this incident has reflected negatively on the members of this department, the vast majority of whom do their job in an exemplary fashion every day." Corwin read from a written statement and declined further comment, citing the lawsuit.

[Clinging Bitterly]

Your ancedotal set of data is what 3-4?

I'm not speaking of a set of data or randomized trials, I am talking about real people that I know and more than a few, like I said.

Doctors and patients are well served to know that the medical profession does not have all the answers, and that people die every day because the answers they think they have are wrong. But I didn't come to this thread to argue medicine with you and I shall not any longer.

We seem to be in agreement that this woman was mistreated by the government, so lets go on with that. Whatever the cause of action, I believe this woman is entitled to damages, and I also believe mere suspension of the officers involved is inadequate punishment for their gross misconduct.