Security co-worker

[Unit 6]

Last night one of the guys I work with was escorting a discharged patient to his vehicle along with the girlfriend. The guy couldnt walk very well due to the meds he was given by the doctor. So when they got to the vehicle the discharged patient went combative and repeatedly punch the Security Officer in the face and head then head butted him, the discharged patient then turned on his girlfriend and punched her multiple times then bit a large chunk of meat out of her. The Security Officer had xrays taken in the ER, I guess so far everything is OK, besides 2 swolen black eyes. He was caught off guard on this, there was no report before this that he was combative in anyway from the nursing personnel.

The PD showed up 12 mins later. They had a real hard time with him also, they had to use pepper spray to get him in the car.

Always stay aware.

Troy

[Mr. Security]

Another reason why I say: "No thanks!" to hospital security positions.

[aphilpot]

Wow! I have had similiar situations here in our hospital. Some patients demonstrate no psych history no visable intoxication and compliance for several hours and then bam....I hope your co-worker is going to be OK.

[aka Bull]

Yep, I have had a patient go off like that before during an escort. We try, not always can we, to have two officers on escort when escorting a patient (or anyone else for that matter) out of our building.

The last time this happened to me I was escorting a discharged patient to the property line (alone) when he became angry and turned on me. We were along a darkened area, out of site of any cameras (usually dispatch tracks the escort on camera). I drew my Taser on him as he raised his fists and simply asked him how badly he wanted to be checked back into the emergency department. He saw the "wisdom" of turning back around and continuing our walk to the property line. We got there before backup could arrive to assist. Yes, I kept my Taser in my hand for the rest of the walk.

I use the same thought process I used in corrections when I escort. Everyone under escort is a potential deadly threat to me, so I exercise good escort practices, which is what saved me that time.

Officer safety is my #1 priority. Sadly I have seen other of our officers (in-house and contract), singly and in pairs, use poor escort tactics. I usually ask them just how much time they plan to spend on workers comp. They just don't get it, even after having the error of their ways being pointed out to them..

[N. A. Corbier]

Its a problem in mindset. They don't or won't realize that they're not just "walking with some dude." They are escorting an individual who is required to leave. This person is a threat to somebody or something, why else would they be subject to removal?

And guess who the first visible symbol of authority is? You.

Bull: I wouldn't bother having the contracts escort or assist in the escort. Its either sending no officer, or only one in-house out there. They're not going to have the skills or equipment to protect themselves or their cover.

[aka Bull]

Its a problem in mindset. They don't or won't realize that they're not just "walking with some dude." They are escorting an individual who is required to leave. This person is a threat to somebody or something, why else would they be subject to removal?

And guess who the first visible symbol of authority is? You.

Bull: I wouldn't bother having the contracts escort or assist in the escort. Its either sending no officer, or only one in-house out there. They're not going to have the skills or equipment to protect themselves or their cover.

Yes Nathan, it is a problem with mindset. I hope none of them have to learn the lesson the hard way.

As to sending contract along - you're right, they don't have the equipment & training to protect themselves - but, the one thing (and I say this with no shame) they can do is put out the radio call for more help while the in-house officer is working to defend him/her self. Better than nothing.