Police launch investigation; officer put on leave

Police in the U.S. State of Utah have launched an investigation after video footage showed an officer forcibly arresting a nurse for refusing to draw blood from an unconscious patient.

At least two police department employees, including the officer involved, have been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation, the department said.

The images captured by police body cameras and the University Hospital in Salt Lake City show Alex Wubbels screaming for help as she is manhandled out of the medical centre and handcuffed.

The protocol

The nurse was detained for around 20 minutes in a police car before being released after administrative staff intervened, according to Suzanne Winchester, a spokeswoman for hospital.

Suzanne Winchester, a spokeswoman for hospital, told AFP blood samples could be handed over to the police only if the patient had given consent, was under arrest or there was a warrant.

None of these conditions was met, said Ms. Winchester, who added that Ms. Wubbels had correctly followed protocol.

The incident unfolded on July 26, but the video was only made public on Thursday at a news conference held by Mr. Wubbels.

“Stop, stop — I’ve done nothing wrong... This is crazy, please sir, you’re hurting me,” she is seen pleading in the video as she is frogmarched to a police car.