Police Cuffed Deaf Woman For ‘Non-Compliance’ After She Couldn’t Hear Commands

Police are a major force on public roads. They influence how drivers behave, and they often evoke strong feelings in those around them. Now, a viral video that came out in 2021 featuring a deaf driver detained by police has led to a seven-figure payout. North Las Vegas just settled a case for $1.2 million, and officers there now have a new policy to abide by.

Last week, the North Las Vegas City Council approved the settlement with Andrea Hollingsworth and her family, closing out a civil rights case stemming from a 2021 encounter that Comadvocates say highlights how easily police interactions can escalate when basic communication breaks down.

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Hollingsworth, who is deaf and communicates primarily through American Sign Language, wasn’t even driving at the time. Instead, she was sitting in a car with her 11-year-old twin daughters on April 7, 2021, waiting for a friend when officers approached to investigate a harassment complaint.

The situation was immediately complicated because the officer was wearing a neck gaiter that covered his mouth, making lip-reading impossible.

Why Were Basic Accommodations Refused?

According to the lawsuit, first reported by KTNV, the responding officer immediately began issuing verbal commands without providing any effective way for Hollingsworth to understand them. Despite repeated attempts by Hollingsworth and her children to explain that she was deaf and requests for pen and paper to communicate, the officer allegedly refused to accommodate her communication needs.

The lawsuit claims Hollingsworth was ultimately pulled from the car and handcuffed after failing to comply with commands she couldn’t hear. Her hands, very clearly her primary means of communication through sign language, were cuffed behind her back as her daughters watched. She was arrested but never cited for any crime.

Policy Changes After The Settlement

While the city did not admit any wrongdoing, officials say the case has already prompted changes inside the department. According to the City of North Las Vegas, police officers now receive annual mandatory deaf-sensitivity training designed to help them recognize and respond to the communication needs of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.

The department has also contracted with ASL Communications to provide interpreters when needed. This should, at least in theory, prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.