Police Response to PRTFs - Disability Rights Arkansas

The video clips here are a sampling of law enforcement responses to psychiatric residential treatment facilities (PRTF). All footage is from body worn cameras of responding officers and was obtained using the state Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The clips allow a glimpse into these facilities, often during or just after some of their most chaotic moments. They also allow you to hear from law enforcement, staff, and residents firsthand about their experiences that extend beyond the immediate situation that has brought law enforcement to the facility.

In some facilities law enforcement has been relied on as a form of behavior management. This exposes youth in treatment facilities to additional trauma and potential criminal liability for behaviors that are often manifestations of their disabilities and the very reason they are placed in a residential treatment program.

Some of the departments that respond to PRTFs do not use body worn cameras. The video clips here are a representation of what is available and not a representation of the law enforcement response or lack of response to all PRTFs. The Faulkner County Sheriff’s Department (Little Creek Behavioral Health), Saline County Sheriff’s Department (Neurorestorative Timber Ridge), West Memphis Police Department (Perimeter of West Memphis) and Arkansas State Police do not wear body cameras. The Fordyce Police Department (Millcreek Behavioral Health) says, “body cam footage is available depending on the nature of the call if the officer had time to activate it.” The Hamburg Police Department (Delta Family Health and Fitness for Children) has not confirmed body cameras but has stated, “all video of calls cannot be given out.”

05.10.23 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

Left client on Bench.

01.20.23 – United Methodist Children’s Home Dacus / United Methodist Children’s Home (Bono)

Took him to the ground & Got on top of him. They Need Tasers

01.13.23 – Centers for Youth & Families Little Rock

Kid in Hold Screaming, Fire Extinguisher.

01.13.23 – Centers for Youth & Families Little Rock

This Place Needs to be Shut Down.

11.26.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

Residents Reported for Stolen Car and Wallet of Staff.

11.18.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

They are Out of Ratio.

11.18.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

They Don’t do their Jobs, be F***ing For Real.

11.18.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

There are so many unprofessional staff here (1)

11.18.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

Hire Better Staff.

11.18.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

Pressing charges does not accomplish the goals

11.18.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

That is Simply Part of the Job.

11.18.22- Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

There Are So Many Unprofessional Staff Here.

11.18.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

I’m Going to be Honest With You, I Think This Place is Ran Very Poorly.

11.18.22- Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

No Discipline Here

11.18.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

The Kids are Getting Tortured.

11.18.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

Taser.

11.18.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

I am Trying to Get my Boss to Get More Staff in Here

11.07.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

It’s Unsafe on the Milieu.

So, you are not going to take her?

11.07.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

“It’s not all unicorns and rainbows here. That is kind of what you signed up for”

11.07.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

Give Me the Full Run Down.

11.02.22 – Centers for Youth & Families Little Rock

Kid Says Staff Slammed Him.

11.02.22 – Centers for Youth & Families Little Rock

Broken Light Bulbs.

Do ya’ll know what is going on with her?

11.01.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

Officer: “Do ya’ll know what is going on with her?” Staff: “I was not here during the whole thing, but her behaviors have been like this for a long time, in all honesty we’ve been trying to get her out of here.”

11.01.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

Thank You for Calming Down.

11.01.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

This is a Lovely Room of Death.

11.01.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

Who Oversees This?

Officers speaking to therapist in office 1

11.01.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

Facility called police to file charges against residents involved in a riot that occurred earlier in the night.

11.01.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

Officers Speaking to Staff in Office (2)

Officers speaking to staff in in office (3)

11.01.22 – Perimeter Behavioral of the Ozarks / Woodridge of the Ozarks

“Pressing charges on kids that obviously have issues is not beneficial,” “I was here earlier and we fought two kids and one cut her wrist and one broke a sprinkler,” “It is not your job to file a police report so that he [the director] can get his job done easier.”