r/Paramedics • u/Ok_Assistance69 • Jun 21 '25

US Overruling captain!

Just getting opinions here. Other night we had a well known psych patient who’s not only know to verbally accost medics/hospital staff, but can get aggressive. Delt with her multiple times where our local PD had her cuffed, hands on a taser. On scene for the THIRD time that week same patient, different captain (not mine, was working OT) and I told this captain “we’re going to need PD” Captain replied back “THIS IS NOT A PD ISSUE” very loud and aggressively I might add. I stated “she can get aggressive” he replied back “SHES NOT AGGRESSIVE”and he denied calling PD. Once she was loaded on the stretcher, she started to become verbally hostile, then and only then did the captain call PD. Then I was instructed to go to my patient. She started getting verbally hostile with me. I was told to get in the engine at this point and the other medics would run the call. PD followed the medic unit to our local ER.

Now, we all learned “BSI/scene safety” right? I always thought it was a medics discretion if it came to safety. KC firefighter died over a psychiatric patient after being stabbed by her. Another psych call, patient flew out the back doors and ended up being killed by a semi truck.

Does anyone think this needs to go up the chain? I feel mine AND my crews safety was compromised by a captain with a superiority complex and this captain has been known for his temper. His behavior was unprofessional, unacceptable and unbecoming an officer.

Opinions???

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u/green__1 Primary Care Paramedic Jun 21 '25

if I call the cops, and I'm transporting the patient, they're riding in the back with me.

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u/epicfartcloud Jun 21 '25

Then you're lucky to work in an area where they'll do that. Most places I've worked, the only way the officer is in the back is if the patient is in custody (or is going to be once they get discharged from the ER).

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u/green__1 Primary Care Paramedic Jun 21 '25

if they don't want to go, I legally cannot make them go. only the police can. And that is considered being in custody, which means the police have to accompany.

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u/epicfartcloud Jun 22 '25

In my area, the police song and dance is that they don't formally take them in to custody until after they're discharged from the ED, because if they get a medical evaluation while in custody, the police agency (city, county, whatever) is on the hook for the bill.

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u/green__1 Primary Care Paramedic Jun 22 '25

in my jurisdiction there is no billing for hospital, so that's not an issue.