Video Of Police Handcuffing Autistic Boy At Royal Oak Middle School Causes Controversy
ROYAL OAK (WWJ) - A video that appeared on social media is raising some questions about how Royal Oak police handled an unruly student.
The incident happened last Thursday morning at Royal Oak Middle School after police were called for assistance with a "combative special needs student" -- a 13-year-old autistic boy.
According to police, the boy had been verbally and physically abusive to both school staff members and his mother, who were apparently trying to get him to a hospital for evaluation.
Emergency personnel were called to the scene and police officers initially waited outside the classroom while firefighters attempted to convince the child to go willingly to the hospital.
"It was only after those attempts had failed and the student assaulted the firefighters that the officers entered and physically restrained the child," police said in a statement. The boy was then placed on a gurney and taken to William Beaumont Hospital.
The child's mother recorded the incident and posted the 40-second video online, which has since been shared thousands of times across social media.
Click here to watch the video. **WARNING: Contains explicit language**
Many people who have watched the video aren't sure if the officers acted appropriately, but Royal Oak police say the video doesn't tell the whole story.
"The officers and firefighters were very patient and in control to make every effort not to hurt the child," police said. "Viewing the video without seeing what occurred before or after will leave someone with an incomplete understanding of what occurred."
Police said there is a criminal investigation unrelated to the video. The Department of Human Services is assisting in the investigation.