Palm Beach deputy no right hand: Bodycam shows officer ticket Kathleen Thomas for using phone despite her missing right hand
A Palm Beach County deputy cited Kathleen Thomas for allegedly using a cellphone with her right hand during a February traffic stop. Bodycam shows she was born without a right hand, and the citation was later dismissed.
- Video evidence: Uncut PBSO bodycam footage shows the exchange and key moments from the stop.
- Citation outcome: A distracted‑driving ticket for cellphone use was issued and later dismissed after review citing statutory wording and citation‑software labeling issues (PBSO release).
- Public reaction: The uncut footage went viral, prompting questions about confirmation bias, training and accountability.
What happened during the stop
Context: The deputy initiated a traffic stop during a February distracted‑driving enforcement operation. He told the driver he had seen her “holding the phone with your right hand, manipulating that phone.” The moment is visible in the uncut PBSO bodycam footage.
Thomas’ response: She calmly lifted her right arm to show the deputy that her arm ends at the forearm and she does not have a right hand. She laughed and asked whether the deputy wanted to “call this a day.” Despite that visual, the deputy continued and issued the citation.
“Hand to God, you did not have your phone in your hand?” — Deputy (bodycam audio)
Thomas: “Hand to God.” (She lifts her right arm.)
Deputy: “Other hand to God.” (She lifts her left arm.)
Why the citation was issued and later dismissed
PBSO explanation: The agency said the deputy acted on what he believed he observed in real time and that officers must make quick judgments during enforcement operations. PBSO spokesperson Teri Barbera said motorists can contest citations in court where evidence is fully reviewed.
Technical reason for dismissal: After review, PBSO said the ticket was dismissed because of complications tied to wording differences between Florida Statutes F.S. 316.305 and F.S. 316.306 and how the agency’s citation software labels violations. Barbera described a “lack of clarity” in the software and statute coding as contributing factors; the deputy also asked the court to dismiss the ticket before the hearing, and the court did so.
Public reaction and viral spread
PBSO released the uncut bodycam footage and clips quickly circulated on social media and in news outlets. Critics highlighted what many called confirmation bias — the deputy appeared to stick to an initial belief even after Thomas visibly showed she had no right hand.
Online commentary focused on the awkwardness of the exchange (including the “Hand to God” moment), the deputy’s judgment, and broader concerns about whether enforcement procedures and training sufficiently account for visible disabilities.
Agency stance and unanswered questions
PBSO framing: The department described the stop as a good‑faith enforcement action and emphasized that errors can be corrected through the judicial process. As of public statements, PBSO has not announced formal discipline for the deputy or policy changes tied to the incident.
Critics note that dismissing the citation after review does not by itself explain why the stop continued after the deputy saw Thomas’ missing right hand. The episode raises questions about when officers should end stops if observable evidence undermines an initial probable‑cause assessment.
About the deputy and the driver
Deputy: Bodycam audio identifies the officer as “Deputy Gazal.” Major outlets have not widely published the deputy’s full name beyond the footage.
Driver: Kathleen Thomas, 36, of Lake Worth Beach, appears calm and nonconfrontational in the video. The exchange is visible in the PBSO bodycam footage.
Legal context: F.S. 316.305 and 316.306
PBSO cited differences in statutory wording between F.S. 316.305 and F.S. 316.306 and the way those statutes are labeled in the department’s citation software as a factor in dismissing the charge. Officials described a coding/labeling ambiguity that complicated the charge, though specific software details were not publicly released.
Implications for The Inland Empire
Practical: While the stop occurred in Florida, similar enforcement mistakes could affect drivers in Riverside and San Bernardino counties — prompting disputes, court costs, and scrutiny of agency practices.
Political & social: The episode may spur calls in the Inland Empire for clearer policies, faster bodycam transparency, and better training on interactions with motorists who have disabilities. Advocates may use the case to push for reforms on citation software coding and officer training.
Advice for motorists: If stopped, drivers should calmly request a clear explanation for the stop and may contest citations in court. Body cameras can provide an objective record, and agencies should ensure video‑release policies and citation coding are transparent.
Sources and footage
- Uncut PBSO bodycam footage of the traffic stop (video 1)
- Additional PBSO bodycam release and reporting (video 2)
- Reporting and PBSO comments referenced above come from the released bodycam footage and public statements by PBSO spokesperson Teri Barbera.
