By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
• Three NYPD detectives were reportedly mistreated at a New York City hospital after staff mistakenly believed they were federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
• The incident happened Jan. 16 at the NYU Langone/Cobble Hill emergency room following a confrontation with a suspect.
• Hospital staff initially restricted the armed detectives from entering with service weapons per policy.
• Sources say staff allegedly suggested the officers seek care elsewhere due to the misidentification.
• The hospital apologized to NYPD leadership and said it would reaffirm its care policies.
(NEW YORK, NY —) Three New York Police Department detectives were reportedly mistreated at NYU Langone/Cobble Hill Hospital in Brooklyn after hospital staff allegedly mistook them for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents while they sought medical attention, authorities said.
The detectives went to the emergency department Jan. 16 after being assaulted during a narcotics investigation, according to sources. Upon arrival, hospital security informed them that they could not enter the emergency room with their service weapons, a standard policy, and arrangements were made for treatment with weapons secured outside of the treatment area.
Sources familiar with the incident said hospital personnel later approached the detectives in the waiting area, allegedly suggested they leave and expressed concerns that they were federal immigration officers, prompting tensions between the officers and staff.
The NYPD Detectives’ Endowment Association condemned the reported treatment as unacceptable for injured officers, and the department said it was reviewing the matter.
Hospital representatives acknowledged discussions with NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, expressed regret over how the situation unfolded and reaffirmed a commitment to providing care to law enforcement and all patients, according to statements.