Seattle, Washington — A hospital in Seattle has put one of its security officers on administrative leave while it investigates video footage showing the officer using the same restraint technique on a detainee that was used on George Floyd last summer.
The video shows a Swedish Medical Center security officer putting his knee on the neck and head of a man he was detaining for trespassing on March 8, reports KIRO. The incident occurred on a sidewalk outside of the medical center and involved several Swedish hospital security officers. After the detainee was subdued, the security officers waited for local law enforcement to arrive. The man was accused of trespassing and trying to urinate on the Swedish Medical Center First Hill campus.
The video was taken by a woman who was walking by when the unidentified man was restrained by the officers. The witness said the way the officer restrained the man appeared to “be extremely egregious physical assault” and “way more than required.”
The woman also claims the officers told her she wasn’t allowed to video their activities.
The woman then sent her video to Swedish Medical Center administrators, who thanked her and apologized for her experience that day, reports KIRO. The hospital issued a statement to the television station that said Swedish Medical Center does not allow for the restraint technique used by the security officer.
Since the in-custody death of George Floyd last summer, there has been a much greater focus on the use of force by police officers. Many law enforcement agencies have banned the use of the carotid restraint or chokehold technique by officers, including the police chiefs at all 23 California State University campuses.
“We have seen the tragic impact of racism and bigotry, and many in our departments have experienced it personally. We are unitedly determined to take action,” the chiefs said in a joint statement last June.
