Two security guards were arrested early Monday for allegedly impeding NYPD officers from entering the psych ward at a Brooklyn hospital where their colleague needed help, law enforcement sources said.
An NYPD cop was supervising a prisoner who was receiving psychiatric treatment at the Kings County Hospital Center around 4:50 a.m. Monday when he called for assistance from his fellow Finest, the sources said.
But when the other cops showed up, Kadeem Alfred, 32 – who was guarding the ward at the time – refused to open the doors for them, according to the sources.
Two security guards at the Kings County Hospital Center’s psych ward were arrested for allegedly impeding cops from entering to help their colleague in need, sources said. Helayne Seidman
Alfred, who works for a private company, allegedly told the officers they couldn’t get inside until he got the go-ahead from his supervisor, Michael Kee, 53, the sources said.
Finally, the officers were allowed inside and their colleague who needed assistance was found to be OK, according to the sources.
But the hospital workers were not in the clear. Cops arrested Alfred, and then Kee wound up in cuffs too for trying to interfere with the arrest, the sources said.
Both were charged with obstruction of governmental administration – a charge that is filed against those who prevent officers from performing their duties – and given desk appearance tickets to appear in court at a later date, authorities and sources said.
Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Hendry called on city hospitals to enact changes to make sure officers can receive help as soon as they need it.
“When a police officer calls for help, absolutely nothing should delay that help from getting there,” Hendry said in a statement. “Hospital personnel need to understand that and should make changes to ensure that this scenario doesn’t happen again.”
Both staffers were charged with obstruction of governmental administration and released with desk appearance tickets, cops and sources said. Christopher Sadowski
“NYC Health + Hospitals prides itself on its high-quality care and exceptional staff,” NYC Health and Hospitals spokesman Christopher Miller said in a statement. “Every day our hospitals work closely with the members of the NYPD in service to our patients and the communities we serve.”
The incident happened less than two weeks after the NYPD said a team of its detectives were “disrespected” at NYU Langone/Cobble Hill hospital after being mistaken for federal ICE agents.
An NYPD spokesperson had said the department was unhappy with how the cops were treated and would review the incident.
The hospital ultimately said its team spoke with Commissioner Jessica Tisch and “expressed our regret for how the situation was handled.”