A Rochester, New York, Police officer dragged an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) away from her patient to arrest her for allegedly hitting his car with the ambulance door.
According to reporter Jennifer Lewke, the officer — an investigator with the Rochester Police Department — had parked his own vehicle in the ambulance bay and then attempted to arrest the EMT after she hit that vehicle while opening the ambulance door to unload a patient for treatment at the hospital.
“A @RochesterNYPD investigator parked his car in the ambulance bay at Strong, an EMT from @MonroeAmbNY hit the door while unloading a patient,” Lewke tweeted, sharing video of the officer approaching the EMT inside the hospital. “The investigator insisted on ID, the EMT insisted on bringing the patient inside. This is exclusive video of what happened next.”
A @RochesterNYPD investigator parked his car in the ambulance bay at Strong, an EMT from @MonroeAmbNY hit the door while unloading a patient.
The investigator insisted on ID, the EMT insisted on bringing the patient inside. This is exclusive video of what happened next ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/2gPVvrokRF— Jennifer Lewke (@WHEC_JLewke) July 15, 2022
Lewke noted that the EMT was released after a supervisor arrived to address the situation. “Regarding the video in prior tweets: The officer has been placed on desk duty while RPD conducts an internal investigation. The EMT was released from the handcuffs when a supervisor arrived and was not charged or ticketed,” she added in a subsequent tweet.
Regarding the video in prior tweets: The officer has been placed on desk duty while RPD conducts an internal investigation. The EMT was released from the handcuffs when a supervisor arrived and was not charged or ticketed.
— Jennifer Lewke (@WHEC_JLewke) July 15, 2022
Rochester Police Chief David M. Smith released a statement on the incident, saying in part, “I have high expectations for all members of the Rochester Police Department. Obviously, this incident is deeply concerning to me. As a result of this interaction at Strong Hospital, I have directed our Professional Standards Section to initiate an internal investigation.”
Smith went on to confirm that the officer involved had been reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of that investigation, adding, “As chief, I demand the members of the Rochester Police Department perform their duties in a professional manner. And as such, we must hold ourselves to a higher standard of accountability.”
Updated statement from the @RochesterNYPD Chief of Police in response to EMT arrest. In case you missed our original story:https://t.co/CHv3kEOYsu pic.twitter.com/NoWi0xubeH
— Jennifer Lewke (@WHEC_JLewke) July 15, 2022
Monroe Ambulance also released a statement on the situation, offering support for the EMT and stating that the officer’s actions had endangered both the EMT and her patient.
“Our employee demonstrated sound decision making by prioritizing the care of the patient and it is the expectation of all our care providers to do the same,” the statement continued. “Furthermore, we do not believe the behavior of the officer aligns with the values of RPD leadership and should in no way condemn the rest of the brave brothers and sisters in blue. We are eager to learn of the outcome of RPD’s official investigation.”
NEW: Here is a new statement from @MonroeAmbNY: pic.twitter.com/0QN2IUO45j
— Jennifer Lewke (@WHEC_JLewke) July 15, 2022