I would think that basic first aid is something cops are trained in. That way if it’s taking time for an EMT to arrive but they’re close they could render aid. Now I would never want a cop in a medical emergency, but I imagine this is the reasoning.

I’m not sure if it’s like this everywhere in the US, but in the rural part of Georgia I’m from when 911 is called it is required that the police (or deputy), an EMT, and firefighters/first responder all show up to be prepared for any type of emergency. Doesn’t matter what’s reported to the dispatcher, it’s kind of an all hands on deck until someone’s on the scene and the situation is assessed. Not commenting on whether this is the best system, but just an observation that might help answer your question.

Read the article, sounds like he was combative post-ictal. I’m not excusing the officer; it’s a thing, not the most common, but I’ve definitely had my share of dudes that would just hulk out after a seizure. There’s no real reasoning or logic to it, they don’t mean to be combative. I think it’s down to the lights being on while monke brain is down for the count, so lizard brain senses all the hallmarks of a fight or flight situation in the wake of the seizure and decides “fuck it, we ball”. This is definitely a situation that needed medical professionals. We’ve always managed these situations without bringing the patient to any harm, all while still protecting ourselves. Cops aren’t taught those skills, especially not since the war on drugs and war on terror allowed them to tell themselves that they’re the warriors on the Frontline, the thin blue line that seperates the good from the wicked, yadda, yadda, yadda. When you’re a hammer, everything looks like a nail, etc. The smart thing for the cop to have done would be to listen to the wife and remove himself from the situation until EMS arrived.