The cop had his left arm around his neck for only a brief moment. I wouldn't really call it a chokehold. It would have to remain applied to be called a hold, after all.
I could see why the EMT would, at first, be relatively nonchalant by asking if he could walk. There were numerous occasions where a perp starts acting up after getting the bracelets, making up medical complaints, thinking that they can get out of the arrest by going to the hospital. I get this with traffic stops too, with drunks claiming that they're diabetic, or faking wheezing and saying that they have asthma. I've seen similar scenarios to Garner's numerous times, where the perp flops around and complains about breathing and other stuff after getting arrested. The fake seizures can be amusing.
If a perp c/o diff breathing, I would do a quick assessment including L/S, SpO2, capno and B/P, then make them walk. I don't carry people, especially when they weigh well north of 300#, when they're faking illness, or even if they are a little sick but stable. I like to state aloud "to my partner" but really everyone in earshot how our findings suggest that nothing's wrong. For example, the drunk "diabetic" with a BGL of 150 and normal vitals at the accident scene.
OMG Seeing this comment had me seething with anger so much that I made a profile just to respond and let me tell you why! Anyone with half of a brain and especially "medical training" can see that this man was not faking it. So don't even go there. This was not a "fake seize" what you and I witnessed was this mans last breathe. OK he DIED. So do not side with EMS and say you can see why blah blah some other ignorance blah.
I have been an EMT/Paramedic for 25 years and in my 25 years and can tell you that this was gross negligence ALL AROUND.
Ive seen fakes, Ive seen good cops, Ive seen bad cops, Ive seen good and bad cops die! Ive seen innocent, Ive seen guilty, Ive seen death.
Normally when people are arrested they are first told to put hands behind back.
Watched this video many times(yes im traumatized), didn't hear it.
Normally some kind of Miranda is read...
Once again did not hear it.
Department PROHIBITED CHOKE-HOLD WAS USED NO MATTER THE LENGTH OF APPLICATION!!
Yes I will say Eric should have complied but I will also say when he started saying he could not breathe his head should not have been smashed into the ground, because in the choke you see he submits by bringing that arm up for the cops to cuff him, there was no reason for the head smash
Now the EMTS. Iam so appalled at these people and I hope they are stripped of their right to work in the medical field. Simply appalling. No "quick assessment". No stretcher, neck brace, cpr, O2 NOTHING!! They picked him up my his shirt! COME ONE!
My first thing I would have made the officers do is REMOVE THE CUFFS
You people come on here with your opinions like "oh he has a history", "oh hes obese", "oh he should have complied". Does that make you feel better about a dead man that "maybe" could have been saved if it were for the swift actions of a COURAGEOUS professionals of the medical field. Those emts and paramedics were weak and let the scared officers dictate the inhumane treatment of man lay dying in the street.
If it were you family member you'd would be singing a different song and dance and calling for everyone involved including emts and parameDICKS to lose their jobs.
Your comments make me ashamed to stand next to you and claim I am a medical professional.
Stop following the herd and use you own MIND AND EYES.
Something is happening is this world.
BRING COMPASSION BACK and stop justifying negligence just because they are our coworkers
If anything these emts and paramedics involved need to GO!!
Much love and peace to you all.
Even the ones that respond negatively and ignorantly
This video made me a better paramedic and person. Hope it wakes all you future Nicole whatever her name is that touched his neck all willy nilly and did nothing!!
GREAT SPIRITS HAVE ALWAYS ENCOUNTERED VIOLENT OPPRESSION FROM MEDIOCRE MINDS--Albert Einstein
do not be afraid to go against the cuff and do what is MORALLY right.
Off to be the change I want to see in this world!