FBI probing Utah cop who arrested nurse for refusing to draw blood
The FBI said on Friday it is examining whether federal laws were violated by a Utah police detective who is shown on video assaulting and arresting a nurse after she refused to allow taking a blood sample from an unconscious patient.
The July 26 incident involving Salt Lake City police Detective Jeff Payne is already being investigated by state authorities, who requested the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigations on Thursday.
Sandra Yi Barker, a spokeswoman at the FBI’s Salt Lake City field office, said agents already opened a review of the matter after videos of Payne forcefully arresting University of Utah Hospital nurse Alex Wubbels emerged last week.
We are there to support and assist them as needed, but we also have our own review going on at the same time, Barker said.
Barker stressed that a color of law review, which examines whether law enforcement officials exceeded their authority, was a preliminary step that may or may not lead to a formal investigation.
Color of law violations include false arrest and the use of excessive force by police, according to the FBI’s website.
Fax: +44 (0) 871 698 1971Email: info@shirshobindu.com (Admin) news@shirshobindu.com (Newsroom)