Mr. Universe arrested, thought to be drunk but had low blood sugar

[Demontestament]

REDWOOD CITY, California (AP) -- The reigning Mr. Universe faces assault and resisting arrest charges following a run-in with police who mistakenly believed the diabetic bodybuilder was intoxicated.

Doug Burns, 43, was sprayed with Mace and wrestled to the ground by officers who were summoned to a movie theater Sunday night by a security guard, authorities said.

Burns, who was trying a new diabetes drug that night, said Monday he was preparing to see a film when he felt dizziness and poor vision -- a sign of low blood sugar -- and hurried to a snack counter.

The security guard noticed Burns' strange behavior and asked him to leave, thinking he was intoxicated, Redwood City Police Capt. Chris Cessina said.

When officers arrived, Burns allegedly lunged at one of them, pushing him to the ground with both hands, and took a fighting stance, Cessina said. Burns continued being combative until four officers wrestled him down, the captain said.

During the scuffle, the officers did not notice Burns' Medic Alert bracelet. An on-scene medical test later confirmed that Burns had low blood sugar during the incident, Cessina said.

Despite the misunderstanding, Burns was charged with misdemeanor assault and resisting arrest.

"The fact is Mr. Burns assaulted our officer," Cessina said. "If he had just stood there and let us help him, maybe they would have called the medics if he didn't seem to fit the description of being under the influence."

Burns, a board member of the American Diabetes Association who often speaks to raise awareness about the condition, said he doesn't remember the incident clearly.

"I could understand if I was belligerent or had track marks, but I was nicely dressed and I don't think I fit the profile or smelled like alcohol," Burns told the San Mateo Daily Journal.

A court date has not yet been set in the case.


Honestly I can't see him being charged with anything. Why you may ask? Simply put, diabetics who are experience a low or high blood sugar cannot think logically, I being one myself can testify for that. When a diabetic is low or high they are very easily angered and cannot think very clearly at all.

"The fact is Mr. Burns assaulted our officer," Cessina said. "If he had just stood there and let us help him, maybe they would have called the medics if he didn't seem to fit the description of being under the influence."

Once again logic has a hard time working when you are low or high, getting combative is easily done if they are angered. Now do I believe he knocked two of them down or it took 4 or 5 for them to bring him down? **** no! If he was that low he would not be able to use alot of force behind anything, it would make him go lower even if he is Mr. Universe.

Burns, a board member of the American Diabetes Association who often speaks to raise awareness about the condition, said he doesn't remember the incident clearly.

I doubt anyone would expect him to remeber anything, diabetis can **** with your mind when you are low. Hell I have seen **** when I have been really low. I can see him getting off on some medical technicality due to being low and not in a right state of mind to make responsible decisions. And I hope this doesn't make him lose his title, it isn't like he was on drugs or drunk at the time. Just his blood sugar droped and he wasn't thinking clearly.

[Tollwutig]

Yeah I had read this article, even if a DA prosecutes which if charges are brought they probably are. I think the Judge will throw it out. As this case is getting national press (I read it on Fox or CNN) I can see the charges being dropped fairly quickly. I also see this Police force getting reamed with bad media over this, they approached a diabetic in a sugar low and from reading between the lines belligerently because they thought he was drunk. A respectful officer would have asked what was wrong.

[Demontestament]

A respectful officer would have asked what was wrong.

Are there anymore of those around? Most I have seen are all shoot and ask questions later.

[weatherlight]

Possible line of events.

Scrawny little Security guard see's large man stumble out of the theater, looking intoxicated. Calls for police backup, then approaches man and tells him to leave. Man say "no I need to eat something fast". Police show up and surround him, officers ask him to leave, man say "no I’ll be fine I just need something to eat." Police dismiss it thinking he is drunk and close in. Man now feeling entrapped has an officer take an aggressive posture moving towards him, guy feels threatened pushes the officer away and takes and aggressive stance in return. The Police take him to the ground, he struggles, and they spray him with mace, handcuff him and haul him off.

I want to know how they missed the med-alert bracelet. These are police officers who are trained first responders; they had to put handcuffs on him, not to mention more than close enough to smell if he had alcohol recently. I’m sorry, but I say he should be filing a complaint against them. I have worked both as a security guard and a trained first responder and if I reacted that way I would be lucky if I only lost my job. Not to mention getting my ass sued.

[Tollwutig]

I want to know how they missed the med-alert bracelet. These are police officers who are supposed to be trained first responders; they had to put handcuffs on him, not to mention more than close enough to smell if he had alcohol recently. I’m sorry, but I say he should be filing a complaint against them. I have worked both as a security guard and a trained first responder and if I reacted that way I would be lucky if I only lost my job. Not to mention getting my ass sued.

Fixed

Although I still don't see how they missed a Medic Alert bracelet. Those things are distinguishable fairly readily even from a short distance.

[weatherlight]

Fixed
Last time I checked all police officers were required to be certified first responders( You cannot be a police officer without this training). There was nothing wrong with my sentence, please do not try and guess my intent. The sentence was both grammatically correct, and did convey my message appropriately.

[Jojo Stix]

Although I still don't see how they missed a Medic Alert bracelet. Those things are distinguishable fairly readily even from a short distance.

Never underestimate the power of the Redwood City PD. >< Sometimes, I wonder if there is a requirement for all of Redwood City's public servents to not be the sharpest tools in the shed.

Wow, my town is in the news. I'll try to do a bit of checking into this during my lunch break to see if I can find out any more details.

[Tollwutig]

Last time I checked all police officers were required to be certified first responders( You cannot be a police officer without this training). There was nothing wrong with my sentence, please do not try and guess my intent. The sentence was both grammatically correct, and did convey my message appropriately.

No you are incorrect they are required to take a class and get a certificate. Just because you take a class and get a nice piece of paper does not necessarily mean you have absorbed the material. Especially with the brief First Responder courses that are out there, (and yes provided by the American Red Cross) which are so poorly given that personally the graduates and instructors shouldn't be allowed to apply a band aid.

So the correction stands.

[Demontestament]

Last time I checked all police officers were required to be certified first responders( You cannot be a police officer without this training). There was nothing wrong with my sentence, please do not try and guess my intent. The sentence was both grammatically correct, and did convey my message appropriately.

Yeah you see.....well how do I put this....Just because they have to doesn't mean they are, especially in California where most cops are corrupt and only follow the laws that protect their asses. Even if they were trained and I hope they are police now are always looking for a reason to use force. Even if they saw the bracelt it doesn't mean they figured it out or they didn't care. They saw a big guy they could take down and brag about it later. Then when they realized the guy was Diabetic the thought "Oh better test his blood sugar" test revealed as low and reason for odd behavior so to try and cover their asses they put up the story he attacked them.

[Thefremen]

Yeah you see.....well how do I put this....Just because they have to doesn't mean they are, especially in California where most cops are corrupt and only follow the laws that protect their asses. Even if they were trained and I hope they are police now are always looking for a reason to use force. Even if they saw the bracelt it doesn't mean they figured it out or they didn't care. They saw a big guy they could take down and brag about it later. Then when they realized the guy was Diabetic the thought "Oh better test his blood sugar" test revealed as low and reason for odd behavior so to try and cover their asses they put up the story he attacked them.

It's kinda like all those FBI agents who feel that now they have the patriot act on their side they can use the "emergency" excuse to get info without a warrant and then just fuggetaboutit. (based on report by DOJ, who said that such incidents were accidents and firing need not be done. In instances where the info was used to track down ex-wifes, kill them and make it look like an accident: "Bitch deserved it")

[Jojo Stix]

The Article from the local paper: http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=73048

Interesting quote from the Captain:
“I couldn’t tell you how much time is actually spent on first aid training. I wouldn’t call any of us experts in the field,” Cessina said.


I'm betting I'll be reading about a new round of First Aid training for them in the next few days.

[Thefremen]

The Article from the local paper: http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=73048

Interesting quote from the Captain:


I'm betting I'll be reading about a new round of First Aid training for them in the next few days.

Come to think of it, if they don't know how to help a diabetic with low blood sugar, why the hell should we trust them with firearms? I mean, do they know the heimlich manuveur or would they punch someone in the solarplexus if they started choking?

[weatherlight]

No you are incorrect they are required to take a class and get a certificate. Just because you take a class and get a nice piece of paper does not necessarily mean you have absorbed the material. Especially with the brief First Responder courses that are out there, (and yes provided by the American Red Cross) which are so poorly given that personally the graduates and instructors shouldn't be allowed to apply a band aid.

So the correction stands.
First, I am an instructor for community level first aid so I teach the "brief" (8-13 hour) course. Your comment about the material, participants and instructors are both offensive and naive. There are always a few people who should not be teaching, but that is the case with any subject spanning any material. Just because there are also community presentations that only lasts a couple of hours, does not mean courses are that short and easy, nor do you get a “piece of paper” saying that you learned the material.

Officers are not given one of the "brief" courses. They take a class that is specially designed for officers and is a "Professional Rescuer" level course. These officers were more than capable to identify a Med Alert band, seeing as it is even taught in the "brief" courses.

If they received a certificate saying that they completed the course, and the instructor signed off on it either the police officer of the instructor was negligent and should be held accountable for that.
“I couldn’t tell you how much time is actually spent on first aid training. I wouldn’t call any of us experts in the field,” Cessina said.”
I'm betting I'll be reading about a new round of First Aid training for them in the next few days.
For a pro level course you should have more than 15 hours of training for the most basic(no CPR, AED, ect), most are more than twenty as a review, my pro took more than 30 hours to complete. I had extra’s, and had taken the class before.
I would hope that they are all forced to retake the course, if they can miss that big of a tip off. And the captain should not be allowed to speak in public again.
Come to think of it, if they don't know how to help a diabetic with low blood sugar, why the hell should we trust them with firearms? I mean, do they know the heimlich manuveur or would they punch someone in the solarplexus if they started choking?
Exactly. This is why they are required to take a professional level first aid and CPR course.

[Tollwutig]

Interesting quote from the Captain:

“I couldn’t tell you how much time is actually spent on first aid training. I wouldn’t call any of us experts in the field,” Cessina said.




First, I am an instructor for community level first aid so I teach the "brief" (8-13 hour) course. Your comment about the material, participants and instructors are both offensive and naive. There are always a few people who should not be teaching, but that is the case with any subject spanning any material. Just because there are also community presentations that only lasts a couple of hours, does not mean courses are that short and easy, nor do you get a “piece of paper” saying that you learned the material.

Again, it varies by community, personally I don't trust the EMTs in this area to apply a band aid. The majority of the EMTs in my home town joined just so they could run the flashing lights. The training sucks beyond ass, and most of the trainers I have had for First Aid/CPR are just teaching it to make an extra buck, and have no care if anyone could actually save a life. If the Red Cross were more consistent in teaching across the country it wouldn't be a problem.
Thankfully all Ambulances are required to have a Licensed and Degreed Paramedic in them.
Also I was Certified by the ARC in performing CPR and First Aid with a Certificate after taking a 3 hour course. We even took a 15 question multiple choice test at the end. By having this Certificate, I could not in the State of North Carolina be held legally liable if I attempted CPR or First Aid and the person died. The class was given by a Paramedic and a ER X-Ray technician. Both were Certified Instructors by the ARC.
If the ARC has higher standards they need to enforce them more throughly.


Officers are not given one of the "brief" courses. They take a class that is specially designed for officers and is a "Professional Rescuer" level course. These officers were more than capable to identify a Med Alert band, seeing as it is even taught in the "brief" courses.

If they received a certificate saying that they completed the course, and the instructor signed off on it either the police officer of the instructor was negligent and should be held accountable for that.

For a pro level course you should have more than 15 hours of training for the most basic(no CPR, AED, ect), most are more than twenty as a review, my pro took more than 30 hours to complete. I had extra’s, and had taken the class before.
I would hope that they are all forced to retake the course, if they can miss that big of a tip off. And the captain should not be allowed to speak in public again.

Exactly. This is why they are required to take a professional level first aid and CPR course.


That depends upon the State and County. The Police in my area only take a brief course, since they are NOT considered first responders. The Fire Department here are first responders and receive the "Professional Rescuer" course. The Police here only get Basic First Aid and CPR, and from the looks of the Quote from the article, and considering that a Captain was ignorant as to how much First Aid Training the Officers have had; it appears that they don't have the professional course as a requirement either.

[Jojo Stix]

*Head Desk*
I love my goverment officials, I really do. The DA actually did press charges.

http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=73100

A medical test confirmed Burns’ low blood sugar, said Redwood City police Capt. Chris Cesena.

Wagstaffe said medical evidence could clear Burns but it remains to be seen.

The office has dropped charges in the past against defendants when their actions appear linked to a medical condition, such as insulin shock.


Here's to hoping they drop the charges quickly.

[Tollwutig]

*Head Desk*
I love my goverment officials, I really do. The DA actually did press charges.

http://www.smdailyjournal.com/article_preview.php?id=73100


In other words we're dicks who want to get some press for arresting Mr. Universe.

[Jojo Stix]

In other words we're dicks who want to get some press for arresting Mr. Universe.

Pretty much. This is standard M.O. for the DA unfortunately. I'm wishing that for once they'd do the right thing.

[Demontestament]

In other words we're dicks who want to get some press for arresting Mr. Universe.

exactly. Something to brag about to boost ones tiny ego

[weatherlight]

Also I was Certified by the ARC in performing CPR and First Aid with a Certificate after taking a 3 hour course. We even took a 15 question multiple choice test at the end. By having this Certificate, I could not in the State of North Carolina be held legally liable if I attempted CPR or First Aid and the person died. The class was given by a Paramedic and a ER X-Ray technician. Both were Certified Instructors by the ARC.
If the ARC has higher standards they need to enforce them more throughly.

There are no current CPR and First Aid courses even on the most basic level that only take 3 hours. The only thing that comes close is a refresher style course, which is only an overview, so I don’t know what class you took. The First Aid classes offered though the ARC are standardized to the point that you just have to read the questions out of the book, show a few movies, and lead the skill sessions.

The basic level classes, you are considered a lay responder and are not liable to even attempt to help the person. The ARC's standard for the lesson's are fairly high, the issue is when the person teaching it thinks that they know better and try to modify the course. In my area, they do try and check up on the instructors that teach professional level for the workplace, by asking if they can have a person tag along.

That depends upon the State and County. The Police in my area only take a brief course, since they are NOT considered first responders. The Fire Department here are first responders and receive the "Professional Rescuer" course. The Police here only get Basic First Aid and CPR, and from the looks of the Quote from the article, and considering that a Captain was ignorant as to how much First Aid Training the Officers have had; it appears that they don't have the professional course as a requirement either.
A full First Aid course is optional; however, because they are where they have an increased potential to come across certain cases they are given the full professional level CPR, which makes them "First responders". It is my understanding that this is mandatory for all police officers across that US not just some. But it seems that government offices are among the most likely to ignore their own policies.