It's always great when JEMS links one of my blog posts to a story on JEMS.com. Well, almost always great.
My original post follows the link. I wrote it in response to the headline, "Paramedic raped a woman as she lay unconscious…" I said it was obscene. Not the alleged rape, which if true is obviously obscene, but the commentary following the allegations and especially the quotes from AMR and the Chief of Police.
Bad things happen. They happen all the time. Not everybody who is a paramedic is a great person. Not all great people are paramedics. One thing seems clear, a great story about a bad paramedic raping a woman is too good to pass up.
And we still don't even know the facts, nor should we until the smoke clears and the investigation is complete. In a better world, the first time we heard of this story would be either, "Paramedic Cleared of Rape Charges," or Paramedic Found Guilty of Rape Charges," but in this world of instant gratification and sound bites anything that is provocative, or even better, titillating makes it to the news feeds and the populace feasts.
I for one have lost my appetite.
A paramedic stands accused of sexually assaulting a patient, the AP runs the story nationwide.
Their article is obscene.
HAMDEN, Connecticut (AP) — A paramedic raped a woman as she lay unconscious and strapped to a stretcher in the back of an ambulance on the way to a hospital, police said Friday.
The 22-year-old woman, who had fallen and suffered a concussion at a holiday party, says she woke up to find the man assaulting her inside the ambulance on Dec. 25, according to Hamden police. She said she could not move because she was strapped down.
Mark Powell, 49, of North Haven, surrendered Thursday to face charges of first-degree sexual assault and unlawful restraint and was released on $25,000 bond. He did not respond to a phone message seeking comment, and it was unclear whether he had an attorney.
Hamden Police Chief Thomas Wydra said the allegations represent "outrageous and horrifying conduct" by an emergency medical professional.
"Our society places the greatest level of trust and confidence in its public safety providers, and the circumstances in this case reflect a tremendous breach of that faith. The victim in this incident demonstrated enormous strength and courage in bringing this complaint forward," he said.
Police responded to the report of the woman's fall around 3 a.m., and she was treated at the scene. She was allegedly assaulted en route to Yale-New Haven Hospital and contacted police after she was released.
Powell was the only person in the American Medical Response ambulance aside from a driver and the victim, according to Hamden Police Capt. Ronald Smith. He said investigators are still conducting interviews and waiting for lab results, but charges are not expected to be filed against anybody else.
AMR spokeswoman Deborah Hileman said it is a national standard to have only one person in the back of the ambulance during the transport of a patient.
The company said Powell has been placed on administrative leave.
"This kind of behavior is an affront to AMR caregivers across Connecticut who provide high quality care to their patients each and every day, with integrity and compassion," AMR General Manager Charles Babson said.
"This kind of behavior is an affront to AMR caregivers across Connecticut who provide high quality care to their patients each and every day, with integrity and compassion," says AMR General Manager Charles Babson.
Accused tried and convicted by AMR's General Manager.
Hamden Police Chief Thomas Wydra said the allegations represent "outrageous and horrifying conduct" by an emergency medical professional.
Accused, tried and convicted by Hamden's Chief of Police.
The paramedic has been placed on administrative leave.
Punished without a trial.
Things like this make me want to be placed on administrative leave-for good.
"Our society places the greatest level of trust and confidence in its public safety providers, and the circumstances in this case reflect a tremendous breach of that faith. The victim in this incident demonstrated enormous strength and courage in bringing this complaint forward," said Police Chief Wydra.
Judged by the Chief of Police.
To make matters worse, various EMS and firefighter forums have been hot with this topic for a few hours now, most condemning the paramedic, who is named, and has a nice mug shot for all to see nationwide. I posted the picture here to make a point, not bring attention to the accused, he's already got more than enough attention already.
Tried and convicted by a jury of his peers.
A patient accuses a paramedic of a crime, and he is instantly branded guilty as charged, his reputation shattered, out of work and sequestered in his house while his employer, the Chief of Police and his peers throw rocks at him, and his accuser remains anonymous.
Like I said, this article is obscene.
SO, what happened to attempting to have a female in the back whenever possible…espcially with an unconscious female….22 yr old…….hmmmm think in this world that is very very important for all concerned. Why did the "driver" not notice….hello do you not check the rear view mirror?????? Do you not listen…..hello…….. IF this story is not true, then that is an extrememly strong reason to have co-ed crew! Oh wait some town EMS services in NH think it should only be male crews on ambulances due to the fact that woman are weak and unable to fulfill their obligations. I know this from personal experience……..either way disgusting and slap in every honorable, trustworthy EMS person !!!
Time for REAL background checks……Not personal references…..thorough and complete checks……..that includes volunteers……
The idea of a co-ed crew for the purpose of incidents like this are an insult. It assumes male EMTs can't be trusted with unconscious female patients. How do you propose an all-male agency (plenty of those in my area) obtain a female EMT for these transports at a moments notice 24/7/365? How about a volunteer agency who are sometimes lucky to get the truck out, nevermind choose who shows up?
Wow, look at Lynn go! I guess we should mandate that 50% of all crew members be female. Because that's not causing disparate impact in hiring or the list bit discrimnatory. Let's see how this story would have played out if instead of treating and transporting they lingered a while to wait for a female crew person to show up. That would have just been grand!
She asks, why did the driver not notice? Well, maybe because the driver was busy driving and MAYBE there was nothing to notice! This medic has NOT been convicted! Also, on the matter of "thorough and complete" background checks, how do we know that AMR didn't do just that prior to hiring. Most places already do, including many volunteer agencies (why were volunteers even mentioend) and it's almost a prequesite for any job these day never mind in the public safety arena.
Lynn, do us all a favor and google "Duke Lacrosse Team" and see if maybe it spurs a new train of thought. If he's guilty he deserves the fullest punishment possible by law but let's not string him up just yet.
Now you've done it, Lynn!
Innocent until proven guilty.
I had a female partner on the rescue for many shifts, and it was comforting to some female patients. To suggest a requirement, however, is ludicrous.
If the female that is the accuser is lying, she should be outed, branded for the liar that she is, and charged with filing a false treport, etc. I'm not saying she is a liar, but it has happened.
If when all the facts come out and a guilty verdict is rendered, he should be hung by his ball from the cables of the Brookllyn Bridge so EMT"S and medics who don't engage in such behavior can smacm him like in pinata
wow, YOU ARE ALL A LITTLE TOUCHY……… I NEVER said "send for a female"….I NEVER said "wait" for her arrival, I NEVER said delay treatment, I NEVER said he did it! I talked about both sides, and quite frankly MEN>>>>>>> there are many many many times that I was very glad to have a male counterpart for calls……..just as my partners were glad to have a female, me for those questionable patients and their intentions…….
I also said, and I quote…."what ever happened to ATTEMPTING to have a female…..I NEVER said required….those are YOUR WORDS…..
As far as the comment of perhaps the driver was driving ……..if there was another scenario and the patient attacked the EMT…….would the driver have noticed?????
I clearly stated the fact that this world is full of liars, cheaters etc…….and we have to protect ourselves……I believe in English as well…..
Hello I am not accused of this, my name does not appear in the article….why attack me???? Easy prey I guess.
Hmmm Michael…..at least its got people talking……so far no one said anything about any facet of this story….but sure they all line up to beat up a comment maker…..where is the contempt for the possibility of truth?????
How would you "attempt" to have a female for this? Would you have dispatch send a unit from further away because it had a female crew member? Delay transport?
A reasonable person would read your post and conclude that youv'e made up your mind about this.
"IF this story is not true, then that is an extrememly strong reason to have co-ed crew! "
Why? Oh, because all men are potential rapists. I forgot. And "Women don't lie about sexual assault". Except for when the do as in the Duke LaCross case or more recently when a woman accused Patriots player Julian Edelman of "groping" her in a bar. In both cases the women absolutely did lie. As they do in about 20% of rape allegations.
If the media is going to withhold names, they should withhold BOTH names. If they are going to publish the suspects name, then they should publish the victims name.
If this paramedic is innocent, where does he go to get his job and reputation back?
The only thing worse than the reporting in this case is your comment.
This article is obscene if you are male you are automaticly guilty! No such thing as innocent until proven guilty whatever happened to “alleged”?
This man's name should not have been released before a full investigation had been made. No matter which way the investigation goes this man has had his life horribly impacted. If he did commit this crime he deserves whatever he gets but what if a woman with a head injury is confused and disoriented? What if she had been "attacked" by someone else before the EMT ever saw her? Was liquor involved? Were DNA samples taken? Too may what if's here. Another case of a rush to judgement.
If he is guilty I hope he feels the full brunt of the law.but, even if he is, how will this affect his family and coworkers? They are not guilty but will suffer immesureable harm from this situation whether he is gilty or not!
He has been acused but not found guilty as yet At least not in a court of law! Just in the court of public opinion and yellow journalism.
Yes some women lie. So do some men. It is a human condition. I pray that the truth of this matter is found as quickly as possible for EVERYONE'S sake.
If he is found gulty in a court of law he does not deserve to be in the company of other EMTs. any more than a dirty cop deserves to serve with honorable ones. He will be in the same league with Judas. If found innocent? God in heaven help him for his life will never be the same.
Thanks to all who serve with honor. You do not deserve the flack you will be getting from this. Unfortunately the term "collateral damage." comes to mind.
God bless our firefighters and EMTs. Hang in there.
Wow. Opening line "A paramedic raped a woman … police said Friday".
Really? What the heck? That's a bit much for sensationalist headlines. Nowhere in the article does it say there is any evidence and/or a confession but the whole tone of the article is 'he definitely did it'.
Sometimes I hate modern media.
How about using the legally correct word "allegedly", until the verdict is rendered in a trial?
Innocent until proven guilty is absolutely correct & almost universally ignored. And once headlines like this are on the internet, they are there forever. From now on, when someone, anyone, "Googles" his name, this headline will be the first to appear.
Great point, Joanne, thank you.
Agree with you on almost all of the points. No, there's absolutely no reason for naming individuals or photos, and, unless there's information that we are not party to, the 'under the bus' mentality on the part of the chief and AMR Supe is sickening. Part of me understands that it's probably damage control, but much, much more of me hates that this was done so publicly.
I do, however have to agree with placing the medic on administrative leave until determination of charges. It's probably the least destructive option for a service and city to operate as the public will start to wonder if their medic will be the one that did the heinous act that the media bloviated on and that is not good for trust overall.
The only caveat to this is that the leave is conditional on having no career effect if the paramedic is not charged or found not guilty (barring revealed actions that would be cause for discipline without this charge).
As for saying that a Co-Ed crew would be better, perhaps, but even in agencies that are 50/50 (I worked for one that was close), you are not going to get that ratio and instituting it will be a disaster, just as all of that type of discrimination decree always becomes.
I had a coworker that was accused to sexually assaulting a teenage girl in the back of an ambulance. He was arrested while on duty and many of my peers instantly labled him guilty. He was placed on pain leave during the investigation – which I actually agree with – and was later released back to work after the case was dropped. As it turned out, the girl's story changed a bunch of times and she eneded up getting in trouble for making false claims.
It's easy to jump to conclusions in cases like this, but we have to remember that there is a process in place for finding out if someone is guilty or not. I personally find it very hard to believe that this story is true. We havent been presented with any evidence other than a accusation.
"Mark Powell, 49, of North Haven, surrendered Thursday to face charges of first-degree sexual assault and unlawful restraint and was released on $25,000 bond." This indicates that a prosecutor instituted proceedings and that a judge signed an arrest warrant, based on probable cause to believe a crime had been committed. A judge is not going to sign a warrant based on just one person's say-so, especially not in Connecticut where AMR has a huge amount of clout. And as we all know from arson cases, assaults on police officers, and just about every other criminal case, arrest records are public documents. Once you are arrested, your name is public information.
Lieutenant Morse, I have the highest respect for you, but be honest… would your reaction have been the same had the alleged perp been a politician trying to cut EMS funding in Detroit, or a teacher attempting to rape a student, or if it had been your sister in the back of that ambulance?
Yes
"This indicates that a prosecutor instituted proceedings and that a judge signed an arrest warrant, based on probable cause to believe a crime had been committed. A judge is not going to sign a warrant based on just one person's say-so, especially not in Connecticut where AMR has a huge amount of clout"
Ask Dominque Strauss-Khan about how much having "clout" helps you when someone makes an accusation of sexual assault. He was arrested and humiliated before the entire world, his hope of becoming the next President of France ended, and ultimately released after the DA dropped the charges. Ask the Duke Lacrosse players about being arrested and humiliated in front of the entire nation based on the perjured complaint of ONE woman. Who by the way has now been indicted for the murder of her boyfriend.
There is no indication that a warrant was issued, nor was one needed, since the police can make a felony arrest upon probable cause, which can be based on ONE person's statement if the statement is credible.
AMR has about zero clout anywhere for this sort of thing.
The name of the accuser is also part of the public record, but the media chooses not to name the accuser just as they choose TO name the accused.
The phrase "he surrendered" indicates a warrant, as a warrantless arrest has to be made immediately, not four days later ("…when the person is taken or apprehended in the act or on the speedy information of others…," sec 54-1f, CGS). The alleged offense occurred on Dec 25, the medic surrendered on the 29th. That obviously is not "the speedy information" of others.
Most media will not release the name of the alleged victim in a sexual assault case.
News article made it to cnn.com yesterday.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/07/justice/connecticut-ambulance-sexual-assault/index.html?hpt=hp_t3
I hope and pray that he is innocent and a court finds the facts, and if so, that the media would even consider an article on the innocence. Dont image that would make the headlines like the allegation of this crime do.
Either way, the damage to our profession is done already based on the allegation alone.
Great point J_BIRD_MEDIC, just by running the sensationalist headline people's guard is automatically up when they lie on a steretcher, and that alone is in my opinion irrisponsible journalism.
People want a 50/50 force, want two in the back of the truck at all times and one driving, want cameras? Sure. Great ideas all. Public support for that would be huge.
Until you tell the public how much their TAXES are going up to pay for it.
Thanks for all of the comments and ideas, I hope the truth of this matter comes out and the proper punishment of reperations made, but I doubt it.
Kudos to Lt Morse for posting the link to the JEMS article, which notes the medic admitted to the offense, although he also said he was trying to apply pain stimuli to elicit a response, which is possible. But just because a medic "had seen nurses use pain stimuli to the nipple in the hospital" doesn't mean it can be done by a medic in the field… that's why more and more folks are becoming licensed as both medics and RNs.