On May 14, 2017, Officer Patrick Niles, along with Officer Micah Host, responded to a domestic disturbance call at Michael Welch’s residence. Welch, who is deaf, alleged that Niles failed to accommodate his disability by not communicating in writing. The situation escalated, resulting in Welch being tased, handcuffed, and arrested. Welch filed a lawsuit against the City of Hartselle, claiming violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The court dismissed the claims against the city, but the incident raised concerns about the department’s handling of interactions with individuals with disabilities. ([law.justia.com](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/alabama/alndce/5%3A2019cv00731/170295/34/?utm_source=openai))
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