How should you handle an arrestee with a medical emergency during transport?

• A. Stop the transport, provide first aid if trained, summon medical support or EMS, transfer to a medical facility per policy, and document the incident.
• B. Continue transport and address later.
• C. Notify the receiving facility and proceed.
• D. Remove restraints and let arrestee walk to facility.

Answer: (A)

Handling a medical emergency during transport means prioritizing the arrestee’s safety and getting professional care as quickly as possible while following agency rules. Stopping the transport allows a proper assessment and prevents any delay that could worsen the condition. Providing first aid within your training helps stabilize the person while help is on the way. Calling for medical support or EMS brings qualified responders and necessary equipment. Transferring to a medical facility per policy ensures they receive definitive care, and documenting the incident creates a clear record of what happened, actions taken, and the rationale behind them. This approach protects the arrestee’s health, maintains safety for everyone involved, and preserves proper accountability and chain of custody.

Continuing the transport and addressing it later could let the condition deteriorate. Merely notifying the receiving facility and proceeding still leaves the arrestee without timely medical care. Removing restraints and allowing the arrestee to walk to the facility creates unnecessary risk and is not consistent with safety or policy guidelines.