Lehigh County DA Jim Martin has concluded his investigation into the conduct of police officers assisting a drunk who sought medical attention at Sacred Heart Hospital on July 11. Although a brief video shot by a passing motorists suggests an officer may have placed his knee on this person's neck, Martin has concluded that's not what happened at all. Instead, an officer did position his knee on the gentleman's head briefly while immobilizing him for his own safety as well as that of hospital staff.
In the wake of Martin's investogation, Allentown's Police Chief and Mayor have both released statements.
Allentown Police Chief Glenn Granitz, Jr.
Earlier this afternoon Lehigh County District Attorney James Martin released a statement regarding the independent investigation conducted by his office into the incident, which occurred outside of St. Luke’s Hospital (Sacred Heart Campus) in the 400 Block of W. Chew Street on Saturday, July 11th, 2020.
I have reviewed the District Attorney’s decision. It was important to allow for an independent examination of this incident. Our internal review by the Office of Professional Standards, as well as our Use of Force review process has determined, along with the District Attorney’s independent findings, that there is no basis for any discipline of the officers involved.
Review of the video that is posted on our department website https://www.allentownpa.gov/Police shows that the officers pointed the individual in the direction of the emergency room entrance. The individual did not follow the verbal and visual instructions provided by the officers. The individual stumbled into the street, and based on a duty of care, officers took action to remove the individual from danger and provide him with medical assistance.
When the parties fell to the ground, the individual was not fully secured in handcuffs. I would like to reiterate that at no time did either officer place their knee on the neck of the individual in this incident. There was never a point when a chokehold was applied to this individual. This was corroborated by a review of the available video evidence as well as interviews conducted with eyewitnesses, including the medical professionals present at the time of the incident. As seen at the conclusion of the above listed surveillance video, officers and medical staff walked the individual into the hospital where he was treated and subsequently released.
The men and women of the Allentown Police Department remain committed to protecting the public and we take that responsibility seriously. I pledge to continue to work closely with community stakeholders and members of our department to ensure the safety and quality of life of the residents of the City of Allentown.
Allentown Mayor Ray O'Connell
“I thank District Attorney Martin and APD’s Office of Professional Standards and Use of Force Review team for their respective inquiries into the incident outside St. Luke’s Sacred Heart. Public safety is my top priority. That reaches its highest level when there is trust between the police department and the residents. As mayor of the city, I am committed to strengthening the relationship between the department and the community. I take my oath of office seriously. I remain committed to the protection of the public and to improving the lives of all our citizens.”
Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
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Friday, July 17, 2020
9 comments:
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Love to hear the body cam audio. Wonder how the social worker unit would have handled this guy. I can't wait to find out how that goes, across the country.
ReplyDeleteI've rejected a few comments that violate my comments policy.
ReplyDelete8:16, I can tell what a social worker would do - nothing. During this pandemic, they have decided against most home visits, forcing the job on police officers.
ReplyDeleteWell the protests accomplished one thing.
ReplyDeleteThe powers that be respond to the complaint.
most cities blow it off or pay lip service to police conduct complaints.
Social workers are wonderful professionals but not equipped to enter domestic violence situations. Just like have public employees do traffic stops! What happens when someone pulls a gun? So glad to see reasonable decision on this situation. Perhaps there are still some non political people doing their jobs with fairness.
ReplyDeleteThis incident was blown way out of proportion by the glory-seeking twice convicted Dr. Hassan Batts. To add to the attempted slander of the Allentown Police Department were headline seeking City Council member Ce-Ce Gerlach & Josh Siegel.
ReplyDeleteI am still troubled by the way an ill person was taken down and had his head pinned. It is troublesome to me that the use of force always seems to be the first thing attempted. I think the idea of defunding the police is ludicrous, but I also believe that it is never to late to start a long overdue overhauling of what safety forces are required to do, and what techniques they use.
ReplyDeleteIll people generally are not those staggering and puking on the street who can be of assistance to those in attendance attempting to provide care. I would tend to trust the evaluation of his condition by four trained police officers and hospital staff who were on the scene. Better if the man were accompanied home from the party by his wife or girlfriend who would be screaming in his hear all the way to ensure his alertness and attention.
ReplyDeleteIn the old days a good ass whooping administered by residents in the area attempting to maintain neighborhood peace would have accomplished similar results and no cost to city residents along with a lesson in public civility which the dude would have found to be invaluable in later life.
In the least the man should have been cited and fined for being in the wrong lane on a two way street.
I think it is important to note that by this miscreants own admission he was under the influence of both Cocaine and Heroin and thus the reason he was vomiting and spitting. This is a case where he placed himself in this medical condition and yet once again our Emergency Services personnel have to intervene and attend to his self-induced overdose.
ReplyDelete