PSYCH ATTACK: Four Security Officers Injured by Gang at Rockland Psych

REPORT FROM NYSCOPBA

Four safety and security officers were injured last week when a gang of patients attacked them inside one of the facility buildings.

The incident occurred on Thursday, August 27, at approximately 5:30 p.m. A patient at the psychiatric facility was being unruly and combative and several officers were needed to get the patient under control. Several times she was able to break free from being restrained and subsequently kicked, scratched and punched officers.

Several other patients then joined in and initially barricaded themselves inside the entrance of the building. The officers were able to force their way into the building. When they did they were attacked by the patients.

Four officers were injured during the incident before the patients could be brought under control. The officers sustained back, neck, shoulder and facial injuries during the attack. They were treated by on site medical staff. Two of the officers needed further medical assistance outside of the facility.

The attack follows an assault at Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center in Manhattan on August 10 at 9:50 p.m. in which two Security Hospital Treatment Assistants sustained injuries when a patient bit one SHTA in the hand and punched the other in the face causing both to sustain lacerations.

“This is another example of the dangers our security officers and hospital treatment assistants face every day at our psychiatric facilities. The number of assaults at both Mid-Hudson and Central New York have skyrocketed in the last couple of years and OMH must do more to protect our members before someone gets critically injured”, stated John Harmon, NYSCOPBA Law Enforcement Vice President.