OKLAHOMA CITY — A fire chief admits responders should have better followed protocol in their treatment of a suspected prostitute in need of treatment at a roadside in Oklahoma City.
The two-year-old video showing interactions between Oklahoma City emergency responders and the female patient lying on the side of the road caused controversy when it surfaced last week.
“First of all, I don’t think they caused her any harm by what they did, but I’m also not excusing what they did,” Chief Keith Bryant told The Oklahoman. “I think they should have followed protocol more closely, and maybe should have treated her in such a way.”
According to the article, the police department is also investigating the footage, but officials say the video on YouTube is edited.
Chief Keith Bryant said the taking of photos by responders at the scene — as seen in the video — was “unprofessional,” adding that policies are now in place addressing the issue.
“Sometimes, it is absolutely necessary to take photos while on duty — to document certain things,” Chief Bryant told the newspaper. “But with social networking, things like that, there are restrictions on how those photos can be used.”
Oklahoma City police Capt. Dexter Nelson said the department is investigating the video footage but added the YouTube version of the video was heavily edited.
“It tells a completely different story,” Nelson said of the unedited footage. “There’s a great difference between that and what you see in the edited video.”