SASKATOON – A Saskatoon police officer ticketed a man who has no arms for driving without a seat belt late last week, sparking frustration from advocates for the disabled on how the incident was handled.
Saskatoon police Chief Clive Weighill reached out to double amputee Steve Simonar for a discussion Thursday.
Simonar refused to pay the ticket, saying the constable who was in charge at the time was disrespectful and lacked understanding of what it’s like to have a disability.
Simonar lost his arms in a boating accident about 28 years ago and since then he says he’s been pulled over multiple times by officers, but was never issued a ticket for not wearing a seat belt.
Simonar met with Weighill to discuss the issue. In the meeting, Weighill explained the grievance will be passed off to the public complaints commission for investigation.
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“First off, I don’t know if that phrase was used or not, that’s one side of the story,” Weighill explained.
“He was pulled over at a vehicle check, asked if he had an exemption. He said he did. We checked on the SGI computer and there was no exemption listed with SGI.”
SGI Communications Manager Kelley Brinkworth says SGI provides medical exemption papers for those who live with a disability.
“It used to be that physicians could grant an exemption just out of their office, but in 2000 there was a change in legislation removing that authority so now people have to come and apply to SGI.”
Unfortunately Simonar says he wasn’t aware he needed those papers. He thought a note from his doctor was enough.
At this point Simonar says it isn’t about the ticket, it’s about being treated with dignity. He intends to take his fight all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.
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