Latest news with #KatieMitchell
BBC News
6 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Lisburn: Ombudsman recommends training after autistic woman removed from shop
Police officers should get improved training on how to deal with autistic people following an incident involving a woman in Lisburn, a Police Ombudsman investigation has of the incident, posted on social media last year, showed Katie Mitchell, 19, being removed from a shop by four officers and her is non-verbal and has learning ombudsman found while there was no misconduct by officers who responded, there should be enhanced training to "improve how they respond to members of the public who are autistic and may have individual communication needs". At the time, Katie's family said she had been left traumatised and that police had shown no "understanding" or "empathy".Her sister, Dr Eileen Mitchell, said her sister tried to buy a DVD that cost £2 in the store in Lisburn, but tills had closed for the family said Katie's mother called the police in an effort to de-escalate the situation but later lodged a complaint with the ombudsman which focused on the officers' training. Director of investigations Nikki Davis said the incident was "undoubtedly distressing" and emphasised the need for enhanced incident developed after the young women entered the CeX shop through half-closed tills were closed, and when she was unable to buy a DVD, she and her mother were asked to police were called after the situation investigation reviewed police body-worn video footage, and it showed when they arrived "their preference was for her parents to remove her".Her father "tried to move her physically", but was unable to do became involved "only after the young woman's father continued to experience difficulties managing on his own".One officer was hurt. Police action 'the last resort' Mrs Davis said footage of Katie being taken out of the shop was the subject of "significant public commentary".After a review of the footage and audio, including body-cams and CCTV, Mrs Davis said officers who attended understood the "best approach" was for her parents to encourage her to leave."The police officers recognised from the outset that there was no simple solution and their action was a last resort in an incident which lasted for around 18 minutes from police entering the shop to leaving," it added. The Ombudsman report added while there were no breaches of the PSNI's code of ethics, it did expose a gap in current training, leading directly to the recommendation that officers receive enhanced continued: "[This] equips them to engage with, and respond to, any autistic person, but especially a person who speaks few or no words and may communicate in other ways."The PSNI has been contacted for comment.
Axios
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
See inside Trope: New romance bookstore opens in Plaza Midwood
Trope Bookshop opens Saturday, March 1, in Plaza Midwood. Why it matters: Charlotte's popular romance bookshop on wheels now has a permanent home. It's a local success story and a reflection of the growing popularity of romance books across the country. What to expect: Trope Bookshop only sells romance books. There are more than 900 individual titles and thousands of books. The 1,000-square-foot space is dark and moody, with an English pub-style vibe — great for brooding over your favorite romantasy crush. There are 16 sections, including young adult, local authors, romantasy, sports romance, plus banned books. Stop by: Trope Bookshop is at 1516 Lyon Court, just off Central Avenue. Owner Katie Mitchell has tons of opening weekend activities planned. Here's what to know before you go: The shop will be open from 10am-6pm on March 1 and will include coffee from Black Sheep Coffee and Bak'n Biscuits pop-ups. Sunday, March 2, the store will be open from 12-5pm and will feature a different local author every hour, including Joy Callaway, Alissa DeRogatis, Mazey Eddings, Jessica Peterson and Carter Pugh. After opening weekend, store hours will be Wednesday-Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday 10am-7pm and Sunday 12-5pm. The store will be closed Monday and Tuesday. There's street parking available and a gravel lot behind the store. What's next: You'll still see the Green Girl, as the mobile book shop is affectionately called, around town a few times a month, but with less frequent pop-ups as Mitchell focuses on getting the store up and running. Mitchell tells Axios she dreams of hosting a major author for a book signing, like Sarah J. Maas, author of the wildly popular " A Court of Thorns and Roses" series. Between the lines: Trope Bookshop has a book club. The next meeting is Tuesday, March 18, at 7pm at Resident Culture South End. The book club averages roughly 120 people, Mitchell says, but more popular books draw larger crowds. More than 300 people showed up for their January book club. People who met at book club have gone on to become close friends and even roommates, Mitchell tells Axios. Making friends as an adult is so hard, Mitchell says, and she loves that Trope Bookshop, and its book club, have helped people create friendships. Take a look around the store.
