COBBLE HILL, Brooklyn (WABC) — NYPD detectives say they were disrespected and treated rudely at a local hospital after going to emergency room for treatment.
Police officials say the detectives arrived at the emergency room at NYU Langone Health in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, but they were confronted by security guards who questioned who they were and why they were there.
Sources told Eyewitness News that the detectives were in plainclothes and explained that one of them needed treatment for a minor injury after a scuffle with a suspect. They were allegedly detained and one of them was refused entry with his service weapon.
The confrontation left union leaders infuriated.
“No individual-especially NYPD Detectives injured in the line of duty-should ever be subjected to such treatment,” the detectives’ union said in response.
The detectives, who were not identified, believe they were mistaken for ICE agents and that the hospital staff initially tried to turn them away.
ICE agents often wear tactical gear labeled “Police,” but without badges or other forms of identification. Even in plainclothes, NYPD detectives wear gold shields.
Appearing on “The View” on Tuesday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said ICE should be abolished.
“We’re seeing a government agency that is supposed to be enforcing some kind of immigration law, but instead what it’s doing is terrorizing people no matter their immigration status, no matter the facts of the law, no matter the facts of the case,” he said.
The mayor said he had not heard of the incident until a reporter asked him about it at an event Wednesday afternoon.
“That’s the first I’m hearing about it but it’s something I’ll follow-up on,” he said.
The hospital issued a statement, saying “In our discussion with the Commissioner, we expressed our regret for how the situation was handled and reaffirmed our commitment to continue providing the highest quality care to the New York Police Department and all law enforcement agencies. In 2025, NYU Langone was proud to provide care to nearly 1,000 NYPD officers across all our Emergency Departments.”
It happened on Friday. A department spokesperson says NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch accepted the apology from the hospital.
“The members of the NYPD put their lives on the line to protect this city, and the very least they deserve in return is attentive medical care and to be treated with respect,” the NYPD said in a statement.
Under New York’s sanctuary city laws, ICE agents are forbidden from entering hospitals without a signed judicial warrant.
Of course, if they’re injured, they cannot be refused treatment, and NYPD officers can’t be turned away under any circumstances.
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