Police detective who arrested nurse fired from part-time paramedic job
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SALT LAKE CITY — The police detective who arrested a University of Utah nurse after she refused to let blood be drawn from an unconscious patient was fired from his part-time paramedic job Tuesday, according to a statement from Gold Cross Ambulance.
Jeff Payne was placed on paid leave and then fired by Gold Cross after a video of him arresting the nurse was broadcast across the country, according to Gold Cross President Mike Moffitt. In the video, Payne can be heard telling another officer that he will transport homeless patients to the University of Utah hospital while “good” patients are taken elsewhere.
“Although Jeff was not working for Gold Cross Ambulance at the time of the incident, we take his inappropriate remarks regarding patient transports seriously,” Gold Cross Ambulance said.
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Moffit previously told KSL that Payne is a longtime employee with the company and a “great paramedic.”
“He doesn’t have anything like this in his history,” Moffitt said.
Payne has been placed on leave by the Salt Lake City Police Department.
This article was originally published by KSL.com. It is used here with permission.
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