Safety

Security changes implemented after Wisconsin Children?s Hospital shooting

Hospital Safety Insider, April 3, 2014

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Security changes designed to improve communication between the Milwaukee Police Department and the Wisconsin Children’s Hospital have been implemented after a November 14, 2013 shooting caused a lockdown at the facility.
 
The incident occurred after Ashanti Hendricks, 22,walked into the neonatal ward of the hospital, reportedly to see his infant son. Hendricks was approached by two Milwaukee police officers in the hospital after a woman called to tell them he was armed and that he had outstanding warrants for his arrest on felony handgun charges.
 
At first, Hendricks appeared to cooperate with police, according to reports, but he then tried to escape and pulled a gun. After a scuffle with the officers, he was shot in the arm and arrested without further incident, but it sent the hospital into immediate lockdown. Hendricks was charged with two counts of jumping bail and possessing a gun as a felon as well as resisting or obstructing an officer.
 
According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, officers with the Milwaukee Police Department and other law enforcement agencies must now notify the Milwaukee County Sheriff's office before making arrests, questioning suspects, or taking any other action inside the facility. Although the Sheriff’s office has jurisdiction at the hospital, the paper reported that the Milwaukee Police Department officers did not expect a confrontation, so they did not request backup or notify other agencies.
 
Other changes implemented include a requirement that a Sheriff's deputy will be stationed inside the ED. In addition, Children's Hospital security will escort law enforcement officers inside the facility, and during an emergency authorities will set up a unified command post, which will include a Children's Hospital's incident commander, the paper reported.



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