Freeport Police Department
June 18 at 3:03 PM ·
June 18th, 2019
STATEMENT FROM FREEPORT POLICE DEPARTMENT REGARDING ACCUSATIONS OF POLICE MISCONDUCT DURING ARRESTS MADE IN THE AREA OF FHN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ON JUNE 9TH, 2019.
On June 9th, 2019 at approximately 4:38pm, Freeport Police Officers responded to the area of Stephenson Street and Whistler Avenue after they were summoned to this location by a Freeport Health Network (FHN) security employee. The security employee who requested assistance is not a sworn police officer and is an employee of FHN. The intersection of Stephenson Street and Whistler Avenue is adjacent to the real property that comprises FHN Memorial Hospital.
During an ensuing investigation by responding Freeport Police Officers it was determined that a hospital patient along with two other subjects had committed acts of disorderly conduct during an interaction with an FHN security employee. As a result, all three subjects involved in the verbal dispute with FHN security personnel were arrested and charged with misdemeanor Disorderly Conduct. In addition to the Disorderly Conduct charges, two of the subjects involved in this incident were also charged with an additional count of misdemeanor Resisting or Obstructing a Peace Officer.
The charges against all three subjects are merely accusations and all are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Several social media posts have since been created which contain inaccurate information regarding the incident and departmental response. In one of the social media posts, an individual wrote “officers stood by and watched while my IV was removed on the sidewalk, and it was NOT by a doctor”. This statement is misleading, as the IV was removed at the request of the subject by FHN medical personnel (not security or police).
The Freeport Police Department urges the public to reserve judgment while a complete review of the incident is performed. Additional information will be provided by the Department once all information has been reviewed. The Department will continue to responds to requests for assistance in a manner consistent with our mission statement of providing and maintaining a safe living and working environment for the citizens of Freeport.
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