What was supposed to be a simple wellness check quickly spiraled into chaos. Police were called to check on a man inside his home. But instead of peace and reassurance, the encounter escalated within minutes. Watch closely as a routine visit turns into a tense standoff, raising serious questions about how these situations are handled. [Music] >> How you doing? >> All right. We got a call from uh was it the veterans? I don't know what they call for. >> Can we come in and talk to you for a minute? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Is there anyone else in the house? >> No. That's >> So, I'm just going to make sure nobody else is. >> No, please. No. No. No. No. Hold on. I asked you No. >> All right. All right. Just relax. >> I'm not going to ask you to leave cuz this is my house. >> Okay. >> Number one, you just can't walk around. >> Let me ask you just a couple questions. Okay. >> The veterans people, they they were concerned. Okay. regarding a couple things. >> One was which that you were threatening to commit suicide. >> That's not true. >> Okay. So, what I'm here for is just to make sure you're not going to do something like that. >> You understand? >> So, if you need our help, that's what what I'm here for. >> I'm okay. >> So, we're not here to mess with you, bother you, or anything. >> Well, you do understand if you just walk in my place and you just automatically start walking around. And I know y'all wear body cams as well. I'm excellent enforcement, too. If you just come in my place like that and you just start walking around, you have to have my permission to do that. So, I don't appreciate that. You can't violate my rights because you got to call. Okay. >> So, you're not >> you're not helping me if you just come in and you automatically start viol for like officer safety. >> No, it's not officer safety because I I didn't even have to let you in, >> right? >> So, no, don't say right cuz it's about my safety cuz you're in my domain and if you're here to help me, you can't say well my safety is cuz I have no weapons. Obviously, >> we don't know that. You do know that because I'm asking you to leave. >> Please leave. >> Now, it's important to understand inviting police into your home does not mean giving up your Fourth Amendment protections. Without a warrant, probable cause, or an emergency, they cannot lawfully search your home or belongings. Consent is the key factor, and here he clearly said no. When the officers pushed further, citing their own safety, the man told them directly to leave his home. And here's the question. Should they have left? Under the law, once the purpose of a welfare check is fulfilled, meaning the individual is alive, responsive, and confirms they are okay, which he did, officers generally have no further authority to remain inside the home. Refusing to leave after being told can turn into a violation of fourth amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures, raising serious questions about whether these officers respected the limits of their authority and the rights of the person they were supposed to be checking on. >> I'm asking you to leave. >> You don't feel I'm asking you to leave. >> You don't I'm asking you to leave my residence. >> Well, if you answer this question >> I'm ask I'm asking you to leave my residence. I'm about to put you in handcuffs, sir. >> If you do that, that's your choice. >> Okay, turn around. Put your hands behind your back. >> Why would you put me in handcuffs? What? >> Turn around. Put your hands behind your back. >> What have I done? >> You're going to listen to what I said. You're going to put down the phone. You're calling 911. And I'm standing right here. >> But what have I done? >> Put down a damn phone. Turn around. Put your hands behind your back. Put your hands behind your back. Cuz you know what? You're calling 911. We're standing right in front of you. Leave my res. >> I'm not leaving your place now. Turn around. You said you can't get I'm not doing that now. Put your hands behind your back. You're calling 911 right in front of us >> because I asked you to leave my residence. >> We can't leave. >> You know this. >> We determined. >> You know this. You know exactly what I'm talking about. If you were law enforcement, then you would understand. >> Okay. >> And this is why African-Ameans have issues with law. >> Don't start that. Don't start that. That's a bunch of >> I asked you to leave and you used profanity at someone. >> That's okay. I could use that. >> Oh, really? For someone who you concerned about doing something to themselves. >> Hey, you know what? When you're not listening to commands, what did you do? >> That wasn't a command. >> A command for me to ask you to leave my residency. >> You got You got to command us to do >> I can ask you to leave if you're not. Why are you here? You were here to help me and I >> You are here because somebody wanted us to shut >> and I and I told you I was fine. And then you'll start to exacerbate my condition. Why are you putting your hand up like for me not to speak? You can't help a person if you don't want to listen to what they are saying. If I ask you to leave because you're exacerbating my disability, which clearly you're aware I'm a person with a disability cuz you already observe. Number one, you see a sign right here that's saying that. Number two, >> how do I know what that is? >> Yeah. >> What is that? >> Oh, well, how do you what >> how do you know I don't have one? >> You could, but guess what? If you had one and you came in my residency and I came >> So, you're the victim here, right? You're the victim here, right? Well, you guys are vict are victimizing me and now I'm in cuffs. >> Well, you're in cuffs now because of the way you're acting. >> Why? I touch my Why are you grabbing me? I'm not doing anything. >> Relax. But I asked you not to move. Okay. >> Stand right there. >> No, you cannot. Why not? Because you're in our custody right now. You are. Okay. I'm >> You know what? You can you can call up whoever you talk to and tell them explain to them. >> Would you please step on my rug, please? That's a very expensive rug. >> Who Who says I want to step on your rug? >> You Why are you acting like >> your shoes? >> Yes, they are. >> Okay, good. You can put them on. You have ID, would you? >> I do, but I need to get it. I can't get it. I'm >> Where's your ID? >> Would you please remove your hands off of me? >> No, I will not. Not resist. >> No, I will not. No, I will not. And I recommend you don't resist. So, put your shoes on. >> Why would I resist? So, you y'all can put your shoes on. That's what y'all want to do anyhow. >> What's your problem? You >> You know what? We came here because you called for help. >> I didn't call you. I didn't call you. >> Who did you call? >> I did not call. >> Who did you call? >> I didn't call you. >> Who do you think they're going to call? >> I don't know. >> I'm saying I wouldn't want them to call you all. >> Well, they did. >> Okay. >> Okay. And now you're you're in our custody because you're under a mental evaluation. >> And the body cams are working, too. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. Where's your ID? >> Do you want your ID? >> I can't get it cuz then I'm not going to allow you to go through my things. >> Okay. So, you don't own any weapons? >> I already showed you that I had no weapons. >> I don't know that. >> Okay. You don't know anything? >> Because I could go looking for anywhere that you might have a weapon if you're going on a 5150 hole. >> I shouldn't be on a 5150 hole. >> Why don't you? >> That's a That's an abuse of authority to put someone on a 5150 hole who has nose. >> Are these your keys to your apartment, sir? >> They are. Okay. [Applause] >> And I don't believe you are law enforcement the way you're acting. >> I don't I don't I can't believe you're a law enforcement either. But you are see it all too often in terms of how law enforcement act >> act towards you. >> Hey, could you go let Aaron go let Aaron know that I'm being unlawfully detained? >> Don't worry about >> Did you do that for me, >> Aaron? I don't know. >> The Lisa, the the manager here. >> Could you let him know? >> Could you let him know? >> Go tell Donna for me. >> Will you go tell Donna for me? >> Right here. >> John, go tell Aaron that I'm being unlawfully detained. Aaron. >> Yes. For no reason. For no reason whatsoever. You called us. >> I did not call you. Oh, I called you. So you Why are you using the the arm bar on me? >> I'm turning around. What are you? Oh, I got to face this way now. Why? >> Look the way you're acting. >> What you How you mean how am I acting? I hope this going to be worth it to you. I hope you >> for all this. >> I don't fool you. I'm walking. >> I'm walking. >> What you mean don't fool you? >> You think I'm here? I think I'm just here for the fun of it. >> Yeah. Apparently, you decided to escalate the >> matter. I do. Yes. >> So, what exactly is a 5150? In California law, a 5150 is a mental health hold that lets police detain someone for up to 72 hours if they believe that person is a danger to themselves, a danger to others, or unable to care for their basic needs. But in practice, what began as a wellness check can quickly turn into a forced detention, raising the question, are officers truly protecting the individual or simply overriding their constitutional rights. Let's get back to the video. >> The worst thing you can do is make a 911 call right in front of us. >> I can do what I want to if you violate my Don't tell me. Oh, so that's retaliation then. I can do I can call wherever I want to. I have not violated any laws. I won't call 911. Is there an extension? >> Call 911. Y'all don't always act in accordance to the law either. Plenty of y'all get arrested in imprison. Your badge don't make you above the law. >> Your bad your badge does not cause me not to high and then because I call 911. I can call 911. >> Not when I'm there, sir. >> Yeah. What you mean not when you're there? It's It's >> If I ask you to leave, >> well, you're not going to let me answer, then I'm not going to answer. >> Okay. Well, you'll have a lot of answers. >> Actually, what you did was against the law. >> It's not against the law. What you did was against was against my rights. So, it was against the law as well. Your badge does not allow you to deny a person their constitutional rights. When I asked you to leave that, you leave. You asked me. I told you that I was in no danger to myself or others. You did not. You notice that part of your observation. So when I ask you to leave after you start my disability, you should have left. Don't ask my reasonable accommodation. >> I told you that's what I'm going to do. So be quiet. >> So because my disability >> and then you raise your voice. >> You won't let me get a word. Get up. >> Get out. >> You can speak to me in a different tone this way. You don't need to screw >> and don't say that I am cuz you claim you're supposed to be helping me. >> It's the right >> cuffs are just right. >> And it's not that it's loose. It's a positioning on my arm. >> What are you talking about? >> I have a Okay. You aware that I'm a disabled veteran? Are you sure? Yeah. Well, that's what you're saying. >> Ridiculous. >> You see, there's plenty of room there. >> No, it's not about the room. It's the positioning of my arm. >> Well, how do you want your arms? I I need this cup to be removed. So from the front, >> you know what? The cuffs wouldn't be on you if you weren't acting the way acting by exercising my constitutional >> I just checked your cuffs. >> Okay. It's not the cuffs, it's the positioning of my arms. I requested that. >> That's how the Alip PD does. >> You can also you So that's the purpose of asking for a reasonable accommodation >> and that was the reason. Oh, the reason for accommodation is to reposition my arm because it's exactly >> reposition it how >> I need it in the front because it's exactly >> that's not how we do that's not how we do our haircut. >> Well, the thing about asking for a reasonable accommodation is a policy exception. >> No, we don't have a policy exception. >> Yes, you do. Everyone compil >> I just explained to you what we did. You haven't done anything. It has nothing to do with the consciousness of positioning of my arm. I call a supervisor. >> Mr. Sllay, what's your birthday? >> Uh, call a supervisor. I'm requesting a superior office. >> Okay, we're going to take you to see one. >> You need to leave now, man. I'm in pain. I'm requesting to see a superior office. >> All right, we're going to take you right now. >> This is uh Wheeler from Central Division. How are you? >> Good. I'm out here in the field and we have a uh this uh we got a radio call. a secondhand uh caller from the Veterans Crisis Hotline. And anyways, we're out to his place. According to the uh comments, he was considering committing. >> That's not >> We're here. We're here at scene. Um have him in custody, but we cannot get a hold of uh the actual PR who is calling from the U veterans crisis. He said he did call them, but he did not threaten to commit suicide. 1x45. >> Can I get a supervisor? [Applause] >> Yeah, I actually tried to call >> I actually tried to call them and uh wasn't able to uh reach here. I mean, that's a probably a huge uh >> as soon as [Music] that's fine, sir. Yeah. I I You think I'm lying? And I'm still Why? >> Okay, >> you can laugh. I'm glad you >> No, sir. I was just We're We got your uh date of birth. >> I don't care what you got. >> Maybe we can do that because >> Are you going to help me with the handcuff? >> No. Look, I'm going to ask you. >> I want to talk to you for a second. >> My arm is Douglas. I don't want to talk to you >> cuz that's what we >> I don't want you to be in hand. I need medical attention. I need Could you take me to get medical attention? >> Yes, you will get medical attention. >> I need it immediately. >> Okay. >> I've asked for reasonable accommodation for the last 15 minutes. >> You requested a supervisor. I called one. >> No, but now he's taking them to I need I requested an accommodation as well and a California disability. You guys are refusing to do that. Douglas, >> if you don't if you don't need >> if you don't need >> medical assistant. >> I said I need medical attention. I don't know why people say something different than what I just said. >> Notice how the officers suddenly shift their tone after the man mentions potential legal action. They appear more focused on calming him down. But even as he repeatedly requests for medical help because the handcuffs are pressing against an existing injury, one he says came from his veteran service, the officers have yet to request medical assistance. This raises an important point. While they tried to deescalate verbally, their failure to address his medical needs could open the door for further liability. >> I need medical attention. >> I'm not answering that question. I need medical attention. You need it. >> Okay. What's your birthday? >> I'm not answering that question either. >> They're going to need this information. >> I'm already detained. What you mean they're going to need it? You already got me in co mail. >> [ __ ] They're going to find out. >> I'm not answering any of your questions. >> He don't want to answer any questions. >> I don't have to. >> You haven't even call him an ambulance and then >> he could go with them if he wants. >> Douglas. So, you would like me to call you an ambulance? >> I need medical attention. >> You would like me that you guys I need medical attention. >> Can you tell me the I said it many times ambulance I requested a reasonable accommodation was 15. >> No, you got to say what you need. I >> No, I requested a reasonable accommodation. You didn't grant it. As a result of that, it is as I do not put your hands up in front. That's not going to happen. Excuse me. >> Your hands are not going to be placed in front of you. >> Okay. >> That's not how we do things. What? Well, the whole purpose of a reasonable accommodation is to make a policy decision. >> You're not even a superior officer. You don't >> need I need them for attention. >> But the my exacerbation of disability, cervical ridiculopathy, C5 and C6 >> due to the handcuffs and the abusive touching that you did as well on the element. >> Okay. [Applause] Why am I >> You're here because you're requesting all these services. >> You're not giving it. That's the problem. >> I'm calling you an ambulance. >> Because I called 9115. >> Can I get an R25 approximately 38? You're in custody because you're under a mental evaluation >> complaining of pain from us. >> You don't have authority to put >> when the VA calls us. Yes, we do. >> Yes, we do. >> No, just not that. >> You don't get to do that. That is against the law. >> You don't get to do that. >> It's on video. >> You don't get to do that. >> No, you doing >> Who are you going to call the police on the police? >> I guess. >> No, that's not going to happen. >> Investigate the police. police on >> not going to happen. >> Who who who has the investigation of the complaint? >> You're more than happy to speak to a supervisor about what we did here today. >> You're more than happy to speak to a supervisor. >> That's fine. >> That's fine. >> It's not a problem. [Applause] >> I really could use some help with Listen to me for a second. >> I have been listening. >> Okay. >> You haven't been listening to me. >> I'm not here I'm not here to fight you, argue with you. You already have. Listen. Would you just hear me out for a second? >> No, I don't need to hear you. You got me in [ __ ] me for a second. >> I don't need to. Don't you don't need to talk to me. I asked for accommodation. You can't Don't try to Don't try to, you know, deviate from what y'all did out there. >> It's okay. You can say whatever you like. >> I know I can. >> You don't have to tell me. I already know I can. >> Yeah. >> How are they injuries? Tell me he's got spine issues from uh previous injuries >> and and from you putting your hands on me >> 45 complaint of pain. Okay. >> I know. Okay. >> Disabled military. >> Hey, sorry. I'm I'm rolling here. >> Okay. So, uh got a call from the VA. >> Um apparently this guy threatened to commit suicide over the phone. Then I hung up the phone. So, it generated a call with the VA BA called us. Get out here. We get up to the apartment. Um, he's in there. Um, he opens the door for us. He actually lets us in. I hand uh after a few minutes uh start just checking, make sure nobody else is in there. Um, we handcuff uh handcuff him because he immediately gets I rate starts calling 911 on his phone because now he's asking us to leave, but it's like at that point I'm already there. So, put him in handcuffs. Um, I'm not able to get a hold of the lady from the VA, whoever puts whoever called it in. I I have to try to find her extension somehow. Um, but he he's just been completely iate the whole time. Um, he's in handcuff. He wants his handcuffs in the front. I told him I cannot do that. I made sure his handcuffs were loose enough. They weren't restricting any any type of of uh issue with his hands or anything like that. But like I said, he's completely 415. He wants a supervisor. Called him an RA. He's got said he's got pre-existing uh injuries from the military. Won't answer any of our questions. Won't work with us at in the slightest. >> But that's where we're at. >> Well, to us at this point. He won't answer any of our questions to do anything. >> But I and then after we got him in handcuffs or anything, I start making the phone calls. Uh MEU says, "Oh yeah, okay. We'll have a team at the station for you to meet us there." Uh but as far as uh me verifying what he said with the VA, I can't do that. >> Get checked out by >> Yeah. Right. Yeah, Mu is gonna meet meet us there at the station. >> Okay. All right. >> So, what display? >> You didn't let us finish our investigation. >> You No, you that's no reason. You put someone Yes, it is. Why? Because you would violate my rights. >> We're not violating any rights. >> How can you say that? >> We did not conduct our investigation. >> What was your investigation? >> To see to see if you needed to indicated that that that I was good. Okay. You didn't let us finish our investigation. >> Okay. Okay. Okay. All right. All right. >> Um, he's this guy's been very difficult with us. He's he's in custody for uh 5150 evaluation. The thing is he's has prior uh uh injuries to his back. I guess C-spine issue or something from previous injury in the military or something like that. Okay. >> And he requested an ambulance. So, here we are. Uh, but it's I mean I know there's nothing you can really >> So, he's amiatory on scene, walking, talking, wake alert. >> Yeah. >> And we're going to the hospital because >> you know what? If he said if if he says he doesn't want to go, does he still have to go? >> I'm asking in custody. >> Yes. >> Okay. He's going to So, he's So, we're here because he says he doesn't want to go back squad. Sorry. He wants to buy his name. >> No. Why you're here is I was going to take him to the station to get evelled by our mental evaluation people, >> but he has been so difficult with us and now it's claiming he's got previous back injuries and wants us to reposition his handcuffs and we can't do that. >> So that that's that's where we're at. >> We're here for a mental evaluation. >> Okay. >> And so when we have him in handcuffs, he doesn't obviously like being in handcuffs. So now he's complaining we need to move his handcuffs to the front. We can't do that. So he's saying it's irritating his >> his previous injuries from from the military. >> Did you have any medical complaint before you guys got down here? >> No. >> So if they don't transport then uh >> yeah, we'll just take him to the station. I mean there there's nothing medically >> All right. So >> there's nothing medically. >> So So here's the deal. >> How much time you have on? >> 20. >> I have 34. So the smartest thing's going to be put him on a gurnie hand to the rails. Take him to the hospital. Tell him tell the doctor that he's complaining that he's got previous back injuries and he fell in position he was and you need to clear him. That way it takes all the liability off of you guys. Takes it off the city. I think it'll be I think I think it'll be the probably the most that'll be the best thing to do. >> Sounds good to me. >> Okay, >> we got so what information does he have? >> So, all I need is his, you know, >> his name, birthday, address he's got if he's homeless. But we'll basically do that. >> Slade is then handcuffed to a gurnie and taken to the hospital. >> Actually, here stand up here for a second. >> Would you stop putting your hands on the >> I know I have to get up myself though. >> Okay, go ahead. Go ahead. I'm just going to make sure. >> I'm asking you to remove your hand. No, I'm not. Stand up, please. >> I just want to leave. I call 911. They detain me. They saying I'm on a 5150 ho. >> They saying I'm on a 5150. If I'm on a 5150, ho, >> don't be telling everybody that. >> I can tell people you're going for an evaluation. >> That way, this guy, he wants to give off medical help. He gets medical help, but just >> Yeah. And then I can just tell a gun to check.