An incident during which police negotiated with an armed, suicidal man in the parking lot of Portneuf Medical Center (PMC) in Pocatello, Idaho, raised questions about arming hospital security guards, according to an article on the Idaho State News website.
Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen said that the number of issues his agency has had at Portneuf would not justify adding armed guards, though he said ultimately that would be the hospital’s decision.
None of the security personnel at PMC are armed with firearms, tasers or batons.
In contrast, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls employs armed off-duty police officers.
A spokesperson for PMC said the hospital will take into account everything that happened and the resources that were available and determine if any procedural changes are needed.
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