In a similar letter to Officer Tracy, Chief Brown described a “lack of judgment and leadership” as evidenced by his rapid order to detain the nurse, Alex Wubbels. “Your immediate and impulsive decision to order Det. Payne to arrest Ms. Wubbels without first taking the time to fully inform and apprise yourself of all of the relevant facts and circumstances has adversely affected public respect and confidence in the department,” he wrote.

“As a result,” Chief Brown wrote, “I no longer believe that you can retain a leadership position in the department.”

Ed Brass, a lawyer for Officer Tracy, said in an email that he planned to appeal his demotion to the Salt Lake City Civil Service Commission. Detective Payne’s lawyer, Greg Skordas, said his client, too, would appeal.

The confrontation on July 26 began when Ms. Wubbels refused to allow Detective Payne, as part of a car crash investigation, to draw blood from a sedated patient. She explained that the patient — who died two months later — was not under arrest and was unable to consent, and that the police had no warrant. Detective Payne accused her of interfering with a criminal investigation and threatened to arrest her if she did not comply.

“I either go away with blood in vials or body in tow,” he said. “That’s my only two choices.”

Ms. Wubbels’s supervisor, on speakerphone, backed her up and told Detective Payne that he was “making a huge mistake” by threatening her. Detective Payne responded, “We’re done,” and abruptly grabbed Ms. Wubbels to handcuff her, twisting her and pushing her out the door as she screamed for help. She was later released.