plan of action - september 2, 2017

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Police Abuse of Authority


In a shocking display of police over-reach, a Utah nurse was assaulted by a detective and arrested for refusing to comply with an illegal demand by a police detective.

Alex Wubbels refused to draw blood from an unconscious patient because she knew the detective, Jeff Payne of the Salt Lake City police,  did not have the proper authorization. Payne became violent, handcuffed her, and detained her in a police vehicle. He has since been placed on leave pending an independent investigation by the D.A.

Action:

1. Write to Alex Wubbels congratulating her for her knowledge of and respect for the law and thanking her for standing up for what she knows is right: 
University of Utah Hospital, 50 Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132.
and/or email Suzanne Winchester at the hospital's Office of Public Affairs, complimenting Alex Wubbels for her staunch behavior: suzanne.winchester@hsc.utah.edu

2. Contact Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown, stating your feelings about his officer’s behavior and thanking him for publicly censuring Payne’s actions. Ask him to fire Payne and reeducate his entire force.
Email: askthechief@slcgov.com.

3. Contact the Mayor of Salt Lake City, Jackie Biskupski - thank her for publicly apologizing for Payne’s actions and ask her to ensure that the police force is reeducated. Email: mayor@slcgov.com.

And I wish we could be certain that they would have been as apologetic if the victim of the assault had been Black.