A recently released police bodycam video has sparked outrage online after showing officers forcefully restraining a man with a visibly broken foot during an arrest — even as medical staff warned them to stop. The footage, which has been viewed millions of times, is being hailed as a disturbing example of excessive force and poor communication between law enforcement and healthcare professionals.
The incident took place at a local urgent care facility, where the man had gone seeking treatment for a leg injury following a minor altercation earlier that day. According to the police report, officers were called to the clinic after a dispute arose between the man and staff regarding his behavior in the waiting room. But what happened next turned a medical visit into a viral controversy.
The bodycam footage begins with officers entering the examination room, where the man sits with his leg in visible pain. The attending nurse explains to officers that the patient is awaiting an X-ray and should not be moved. “He has a broken foot,” she tells them firmly. “Please, don’t make it worse.”
Moments later, the situation escalates. Officers inform the man that he is being detained for disorderly conduct. As they reach for his hands to apply handcuffs, he protests, saying, “I can’t stand — my foot’s broken!” Despite his pleas, one officer grabs his arm while another moves to restrain him. The man yells in pain as the officers maneuver him onto the floor, prompting the nurse to intervene.
“Handcuffs? Uh, no!” the nurse exclaims, visibly shocked. “You’re hurting him!”
The video shows her stepping between the officers and the injured man, demanding that they stop. After several tense seconds, the officers finally relent, allowing medical staff to stabilize the man before taking him into custody for questioning.
Following public outcry, the police department released a statement defending the officers’ initial decision but admitted that “communication could have been better.” The statement read: “Officers acted based on limited information at the time. However, we acknowledge the need for greater coordination when medical conditions are involved.”
Social media, however, was far less forgiving. “This is exactly why bodycams are essential,” one commenter wrote. “Without this footage, we’d never know how badly this man was treated.” Another user added, “They could see he was injured — there’s no excuse for slamming someone in that condition.”
Civil rights attorneys have since called for an internal investigation and possible disciplinary action against the officers involved. Legal experts say the footage could be used as evidence of excessive force, especially if medical documentation confirms the injury worsened after the arrest.
Meanwhile, the injured man’s family has spoken out, saying he is recovering but remains traumatized. “He went in for help and left in handcuffs,” his sister said. “No one deserves that.”
The department has promised to retrain officers on handling detainees with visible injuries. But for many watching the viral video, the message is already clear — sometimes, compassion can defuse a situation far better than force ever could.
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