In conjunction with National Police Week, Bucks County state representatives Frank Farry (R-Langhorne) and Gene DiGirolamo (R-Bensalem) have introduced legislation to authorize paramedics to conduct blood draws on behalf of municipal police in alleged DUI cases.
Under current law, paramedics are only authorized to exercise blood draws during emergency situations or when conducting routine ambulance transports.
The legislation, titled ‘The Officer Brian Gregg Act’, is named after the Newtown Borough officer who was tragically killed after being shot by man waiting at St. Mary Medical Center in Middletown 10 years ago following a DUI and domestic assault arrest. At the time of his death, Gregg was set to complete one year with the department.
“The Officer Brian Gregg Act will allow paramedics to use their skills to assist our local police with timely blood draws if and when a paramedic is available,” Farry said. “When presented, this option will help alleviate some of the wait time for obtaining crucial test results and reduce the number of times offenders are in the public emergency room.”
Currently, when police officers arrest an individual for suspicion of driving under the influence, the officer will take the suspect to the hospital to have his or her blood drawn for a blood alcohol content test.
“Too often, officers have to travel to the hospital after an arrest for blood to be drawn in a hospital emergency room,” DiGirolamo said. “This can increase the time an officer is unavailable and raise the likelihood of an unsafe situation occurring in a public setting. In some cases, this practice can prove tragic.”
Bensalem Police Department Director of Public Safety Fred Harran said the legislation will assist police in a variety of DUI cases.
“This bill will allow police to do their job more safely and efficiently by helping to prevent people from driving on roadways in the Commonwealth under the influence of alcohol and under the influence of controlled substances like opioids,” said Harran.
Robert Flor of Falls sits on death row for the murder of Gregg, who was shot after Flor took the gun from a fellow Newtown officer and shot him, Gregg and a hospital employee. Flor was was originally transported to the hospital following his arrest for DUI and punching his girlfriend. A large manhunt ensued after and Flor was found hiding in a car on the hospital grounds. Flor was revealed to have had several run-ins with Falls and Middletown police.
“In Officer Gregg’s honor, and as we prepare to recognize police officers across the nation who have made the ultimate sacrifice, we wanted to unveil our proposal, which we hope will aid police in carrying out their work in a timely and safe manner,” the lawmakers said.
