This comes after Pew Research released findings from a study that showed an all-time low in community trust in police. The incident occurred at Strong Memorial Hospital on July 11 after the officer allegedly parked his vehicle in the ambulance bay.
The officer alleged the EMT hit his car door while unloading a patient and witnesses say he insisted the EMT show identification, WHEC-TV reported.
According to reports, the EMT told the officer the priority was to get the patient inside and did not show identification.
Importance of Ambulance Bays
Ambulance bays allow EMTs and paramedics to quickly unload a patient and bring them directly into a hospital’s emergency department.
While the time spent in an ambulance bay differs, the average time is between 15 to 30 minutes, including time for the EMTs and paramedics to prepare for the next patient by cleaning stretchers and equipment.
When an ambulance cannot park in the ambulance bay, extra time is required to transport the patient into the hospital that otherwise would be used to treat the patient.
The Altercation
In footage from inside the hospital obtained by WHEC-TV, the officer entered the hospital and approached the EMT, who was working with a patient on a gurney in the bay.
The officer walked in, placed both hands behind the EMT’s back, and put on the handcuffs. The officer then led the EMT out of the hospital while holding onto the EMT’s handcuffs.
After the Altercation
RPD Police Chief David Smith was immediately informed about the altercation and directed an internal investigation.
“I have high expectations for all members of the Rochester Police Department,” Smith said in a statement. “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.”
The EMT was removed from the handcuffs after a supervisor arrived and did not face any charges, WHEC-TV reported.
“The Rochester Police Department prides itself on providing professional and courteous services to our community. On July 11, 2022, a member of the Rochester Police Department and an employee of Monroe Ambulance were involved in an incident at Strong Hospital. Chief Smith was notified of the incident and immediately directed an internal investigation by the Professional Standards Section. Pending the internal investigation, the member involved has been placed on administrative assignment. We ask for patience as we ensure that a thorough and complete investigation is completed.”
Know Your Rights
When stopped by police, an individual has the following rights:
Remaining silent (even if a warrant is served)Refusing consent to check belongings without a warrantRefusing to share personal information (including citizenship status)Passengers are free to leave traffic stopsRefusing to let an officer enter your home
Newsweek reached out to Rochester Police and Monroe Ambulance for comment.
It’s not the first time Rochester Police have made the headlines.
In February 2021, footage of another RPD officer pepper spraying a nine-year-old girl was watched over 2 million times.
The head of a police union in Rochester defended the officer, claiming the girl “could have been hurt worse.”
And recently, officers in Texas have been under fire for the handling of the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting.
One photo of a responding officer showed him smiling, which outraged the internet.
Another officer checked his phone during the hour-long event, and the fact that his lock screen was the Punisher didn’t sit well with the community either.
