Officer Who Arrested Utah Nurse Placed On Administrative Leave

The Salt Lake City police officer who arrested and allegedly assaulted a nurse for refusing a blood draw from an unconscious patient has been placed on administrative leave, the mayor's office said Friday.

In a body cam video taken July 26 at the University of Utah Medical Center that went viral Friday, nurse Alex Wubbels is seen explaining to Salt Lake detective Jeff Payne that she couldn't allow a blood draw on a patient who had been injured in a car accident. Wubbels told Payne that the patient is required to be conscious to give consent, unless the patient is under arrest or if officers had a warrant.

Wubbels points out to Payne that these parameters are spelled out in an agreement between the hospital and the department.  

Despite the warning, Payne is heard saying, "We are done, we are done, you are under arrest."

He can then be seen grabbing Wubbels and cuffing her as she screams, "You're assaulting me stop! I've done nothing wrong! This is crazy! This is crazy!"

In the video, Payne's partner could be heard trying to calm his partner down during the arrest.

Another officer is heard saying, "I don't think this arrest is going to stick."

The hospital security camera also captured parts of the incident, including what appears to be officers forcing her outside. 

Mayor Jackie Biskupski said there will be a criminal investigation by the Salt Lake City police department and the district attorney. As a result of the criminal investigation, the officer is being placed on full administrative leave.

"The only job I have is to keep my patient safe," Wubbels said in a press conference Friday. 

The University of Utah said in a statement that Wubbels had "followed procedures and protocols in this matter and was acting in her patient's best interest," according to CBS affiliate KUTV.