—Links to arrest video and police statement
Police work is hard.
And it’s getting harder and harder.
The riots across the United States are proof.
Imagine being a target simply because you wear a uniform. Or, maybe you don’t have to imagine?
The sad truth is…
Police, fire and EMS don’t have to imagine what it’s like to be a potential target for violence. They know they’re targets.
They know their own safety is at much greater risk than maybe any other time in history.
That’s the reason police, fire and EMS need to work together.
It’s also the reason this update is so difficult to write.
This week a Utah police officer assaulted a nurse for refusing to draw blood from an unconscious patient. If you haven’t seen it already, you can watch the video on EMS Flight Safety Network facebook page.
It’s difficult to watch. Even after reminding myself how difficult police work is, and giving the officer full benefit of any doubt, the video is disturbing.
But unfortunately, it’s not the most disturbing part.
The most disturbing part is the Utah police department’s reaction to the video.
They (the Utah police department) read an obviously canned, pre-written response intended to apologize for the arresting officer’s actions. Again, giving the arresting officer and Utah police department the greatest benefit of doubt…
The ‘apology’ is pretty pathetic.
You can watch the Utah police department apology statement here.
EMS understands as well as anyone that mistakes happen. EMS gets it. EMS knows how humbling public service work can be. It’s time for police services to get it too.
Let me know what you think in the comments below. It matters.
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