Jackson City Attorney's Office

From: Monica Joiner [mailto:mjoiner@city.jackson.ms.us]
Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2016 1:37 PM
To: Yo
Subject: RE:  Domestic Violence - Officer - Officers not trained in PTSD

Our office is in receipt of your August 30, 2016, correspondence below.  I am forwarding the same to the Chief Prosecutor, Wendy White, to assist in your request regarding the charges filed.  With your permission, I would like to forward your concerns to the Chief of Police.  However, I will not do so without your consent first.  Your concerns will assist in possible implementation of additional training as it relates to individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.  I look forward to your response, and thank you for reaching out to our office.

Respectfully,

Monica D. Joiner

From: Yo
Sent: Tuesday, August 30, 2016 11:28 AM
To: Monica Joiner
Subject: 1615 Domestic Violence - Officer - Officers not trained in PTSD

Good morning Ms. Joiner,

I am not seeking any legal advice.

Saturday, I called the Jackson PD, as advised by the Veteran’s Administration, to assist in getting help for my husband, a veteran of Desert Storm suffering with PTSD.

Over the past week, my husband’s medication changed to include an anti-psychotic. On Saturday evening, his state of escalation went to manic.

I called JPD to have my husband taken to the VA for a psych hold/evaluation. He will not go voluntarily.

I advised the responding officers of the same. One of the officer (the youngest of the three, tall, caramel color) stated that my husband’s choking of me would considered a felony, I would be required to go to the hospital, which would then initiated felony charges and subsequently, my husband would lose his VA benefits. I explained to them that it was not my desire to press charges, but to get my husband the help that he needs.

The three responding officers left out of my home. When they returned, I was told that because my husband had a scratch – the same officer above stated he had “defensive wounds”, I was also arrested and charged. I told the Sergeant at the police station that my husband need to be a the VA hospital. He was locked up from Saturday night to last night without any of his medication. Our soldiers are very proud people, as they should be. They’ve earned every sense of the word. My husband would not voluntarily disclosed his mental illness … but I did so my husband could be cared for appropriately.

No one listened. No one’s listening.

My husband has almost no recollection of the night events. And I am no closer to getting him the help that he needs so desperately.

My calling the JPD for assistance was the worst thing that could have happened to either one of us. I am not afraid of my husband; I am afraid for my husband. I’m sure they meant well and I have no other complaint except for the lack of training. My husband needed to go the hospital – not to jail.

I’m requesting the charges be dropped prior to the Nov. 7, 2016 court date. He should not have to suffer any further humiliation.

The VA offers no support groups for the spouse’s or family members of soldiers with PTSD. I do my research and learn as things happen. I have the Regional Chaplain, Linda Bruce … that I speak to and who advises me about what to ask from the VA here in Jackson. It all seems to fall on deaf ears.

I am afraid for my husband, like so many other veteran’s that he is just being medicated and falling through the cracks of the system. The JPD is not trained in responding to PTSD and our service men and women.

Best regards,

Yo