CW: Police Brutality & Death
In Medford, Oregon, the city’s decision to settle a disability-related lawsuit marks a significant moment. However, it is also part of a broader narrative concerning the treatment of disabled people within the criminal justice system. The case centers on John Lee Malaer, who was arrested on July 11, 2019. He was arrested after throwing stones at a store in Medford to get the attention of the clerk because his wheelchair was stuck on the sidewalk.
Malaer alleges that Medford police wrongfully arrested him and failed to accommodate his disability. He has mobility impairments, and his lawsuit alleges that officers ignored his medical needs from the moment they encountered him. Interactions like the one Malaer experienced are common for disabled people.
Disabled people are often harmed by law enforcement. The data is clear: the Ruderman Family Foundation reports that nearly half of the people who have died at the hands of the police had a disability. This statistic underscores the potential for situations to quickly escalate into danger when disability- related needs are not considered or understood.
However, Malaer’s problems were not limited to the arrest. He was then taken to the Jackson County Jail, where he was slapped and left on the ground by a Jackson County sheriff’s deputy slapped him and left him on the ground without his wheelchair or medical supplies, all of which was captured on video.
The video is difficult to watch and it reveals that Malaer has a disability that was quite apparent. Despite this, he was left in an unsafe and humiliating position. This video was the crucial piece of evidence in Malaer’s lawsuit against Jackson County, which was settled a month ago for $1.3 million.
Now Medford has now settled with Malaer. However, the city has not admitted fault but has agreed to revise its policies, update officer training requirements, and establish new standards for how officers should interact with disabled people. The changes aim to prevent the types of failures Malaer experienced.
Disability rights organizations have long criticized police departments for their lack of uniformity and proper training regarding physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. The case of Malaer starkly illustrates the harm caused by insufficient or inadequate training.
The settlements in both Medford and Jackson County illustrate a broader theme: the failure to implement disability accommodations can have a serious impact on the person and be costly for the agencies involved. Malaer’s lawsuit brought both jurisdictions into not only legal scrutiny but also moral one. Public safety systems are designed to protect everyone, including disabled people. If those needs are neglected, the consequences can be severe, embarrassing, and even life-threatening
The community will watch as Medford implements its policy changes. The challenge now is whether these changes will lead to improved treatment for disabled Oregonians and whether Malaer will serve as a long-term catalyst for change.
The case has already resulted in two substantial damage payouts. It has also increased awareness of disability rights within law enforcement. But the real measure of progress will be whether future encounters between Medford police and disabled residents look different from the one Malaer endured.
Sources:
Mann, Damian. “Medford Settles Disability Lawsuit, Will Change Police Policy.” Rogue Valley Times, 29 June 2026, https://rv-times.com/2026/06/29/medford-settles-disability-lawsuit-will-change-police-policy/.
Neumann, Erik. “Jackson County Settles Excessive Force Lawsuit for $1.3 Million.” Oregon Public Broadcasting, 24 May 2026, https://www.opb.org/article/2026/05/24/jackson-county-settles-excessive-force-lawsuit-for-13-million/.
Walsh, John. “Mentally Ill Often a Target, but Chicago Police Might Have a Solution.” International Business Times, IBT Media, 18 Jan. 2017, https://www.ibtimes.com/police-killings-race-2016-mentally-ill-often-target-chicago-police-might-have-2476586.