September 24, 2012

Video Implicates Michigan Police Officer in HIV Discrimination

A dashboard video shows a Dearborn, Michigan, police officer issuing a traffic ticket to a man and a ticket for marijuana possession to a woman with HIV because he was “aggravated” she didn’t disclose her status before he searched her car, The American Independent reports. Shalandra Jones and her boyfriend Mark Scott were pulled over by David Lacey because he noticed a burnt out brake light. After Lacey smelled marijuana, Jones eventually confessed to possession and handed it to him. She initially didn’t confess because she was worried her medical marijuana card might be expired, which it was. Lacey then found HIV medications and asked Jones what they were. She told him in response that she was HIV positive. Lacey later told the couple he issued them tickets because he was “pissed” Jones did not disclose she had HIV before he searched their car. Experts say there is no legal obligation for people with HIV in Michigan to disclose their status to a police officer.

To watch the video and read the article, click here.

Search: Michigan, police, medical marijuana, discrimination, Shalandra Jones, Mark Scott, David Lacey

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Previous Comments:

julie ann anderson, , 2012-10-07 00:23:28
this is a trusted public servant????????????????????//omg he was pissing me right off. how many times did he tell he he had a family and s*&t? that he cudnt get it? like she f^$king doesnt? i wud be in jail for smacking him. and i wud glad take my sentence. just to make a point. earing? are u f*^king kidding me ? i thought cops took an oath to protect and serve? not play doctor. clearly he is NOT a doctor. and clearly he thinks his family is more important than hers. or mine.again made me sick

Andrew, , 2012-10-02 14:05:59
Here's a few ideas. Check your brake lights so you don't get pulled over in the first place. Ensure you have a drivers license before getting behind the wheel. Don't smoke pot. If you do smoke pot and have an Rx, keep the Rx current. If you have an Rx (or not) but choose to smoke weed anyway, don't do it in the car and don't transport it. I know, I'm just crazy for thinking such law abiding stuff and being poz all at the same time. Cop was a dummy too tho.

Rev. Richard Young, , 2012-10-01 14:06:07
That police officer needs a brain transplant.

Andy, , 2012-10-01 01:56:44
This is a logically consistent expectation in a society where "disclosure" is expected without regard to actual risk of transmission. Just one more example of how "disclosure" is about everything but prevention.

john, Berlin, Germany, 2012-09-30 13:19:00
What an ignorant first-class idiot!

BREALNYC, New York, 2012-09-27 21:30:13
The officer seems nice enough but ignorant as a brick. At a very minimum, this should cause the Dearborn PD to undergo mandatory HIV education. If Ronald Haddad, the Dearborn Chief doesn't think that's warranted perhaps there's a civil right lawsuit in here somewhere. That always seems to get attention when "reviews" lead nowhere and there's resistance to common sense.

B.L.Fowler, Canton, 2012-09-27 14:49:03
WOW! I live in Michigan; and I find this scary. After all, getting a ticket for not disclosing an HIV diagnosis is crazy.So imagine what its like to get caught for not disclosing at all. This is one of the reasons why people with HIV do not disclose, fear. But the HIV Disclosure Mission seeks to change that. Learn how at hivdisclosuremission.org

Jeton Ademaj, Harlem, NYC, 2012-09-24 13:02:28
it amazes me that no one bothers to note that this "officer" admits to "bad things happening" to many HIV+ people he has previously encountered who failed to disclose fast enough for his liking. this cop is very much who our Founders had in mind when they drafted our 2nd Amendment. who polices the police? no one, obviously...but it should be every last one of us in a Free society!