A police officer in Utah was fired on Tuesday after a released video shows him excessive use of force while handcuffing a nurse because she refused to allow a blood draw in an incident.
Salt Lake City Police Chief David Mathis fired Detective Andrew Ross after an internal investigation revealed he violated department policies while arresting nurse Amy North and dragged her screaming from the hospital, Salt Lake City police department’s Sgt. Boris Chapman said.
Mathis said in a disciplinary statement said he was “deeply troubled” by Ross’s conduct. He also described Ross’s actions “unreasonable, inappropriate, unwarranted, discourteous, and disrespectful.” Mathis continued that Ross’s actions were extremely unprofessional especially given the fact he has been working for the department for 27 years. Mathis also questioned his ability to serve the public and the department effectively.
Ross’s attorney David Underwood said his client has worked in the department for nearly 30 years and questioned whether Ross deserved to be terminated because of his behavior. Meanwhile, Ross’s supervisor, Lt. Jack Hodges, was demoted to officer. Mathis, in his disciplinary letter, said he made this decision because Hodges ordered Payne to arrest North without considering the facts of the situation and the law. Hodges earned commendations for drug and burglary investigations.
The case received widespread attention after North, and her lawyer released the police body-camera videos in late August. The footage showed North explaining that it’s the hospital policy to show a warrant or formal consent to draw blood from the patient who was a victim of a car accident. The patient wasn’t a suspect of any wrongdoing.
The officers are given five business days to appeal the chief’s decisions.
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Source: abc13.com