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- A 50-year-old man died Thursday after being handcuffed by Salt Lake police.
- The man was found naked, disoriented, and later died at a hospital.
- An investigation is underway, and two officers are on paid leave. The chief said officers handled the incident well.
SALT LAKE CITY — A 50-year-old man died Thursday after being handcuffed by Salt Lake police.
Although the man appeared to already be struggling with unknown health issues when officers arrived, for which he was taken to a local hospital, the department invoked an officer-involved critical incident protocol as a precaution because the man died after being taken into custody.
About 5 p.m. Thursday, officers received a call of a man near 800 South and 700 East who was "naked, disoriented and going through trash," according to a statement from Salt Lake police. Not long after, a second 911 caller informed police that the man was "shaking."
Officers arrived to find the man was breathing but not alert.
"The man's physical condition appeared very thin, weak and malnourished, based on a preliminary review of body-worn camera footage. The man did not answer any of the officers' questions," police said.
Crews from the Salt Lake City Fire Department and Gold Cross Ambulance were called to help conduct a psychological evaluation and provide medical treatment. Officers then handcuffed the man when he "repeatedly tried to stand despite instructions to remain seated during the investigation and while waiting for medical assistance," according to police.
An ambulance took the man to a local hospital, but his condition became worse during the drive and he died at the hospital. It was not immediately known Friday if the man was still handcuffed when he arrived at the hospital.
The man's name has not been released. His cause of death will be determined by the Office of the Medical Examiner. Two officers were placed on standard paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation that will be conducted by an outside agency. Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown believes his officers handled the situation properly.
"I'm proud of how our officers handled this incident," he said. "They approached this tragic situation with compassion and took steps to help by providing the man with clothing and blankets to warm him up while they waited for paramedics."
