Video Shows Handcuffed Patient In Ambulance Being Urged To Speak On Police Radio, NYPD Investigates

New York City -- A video showing a handcuffed patient on an ambulance stretcher being urged to comment over a police radio has gone viral on social media.

The video shows the patient, who is an "EDP suspect," parroting to a dispatcher as directed by an officer, while others laugh in the background in an ambulance. EDP stands for Emotionally Disturbed Person, according to the law enforcement jargon.

The footage is being investigated by the New York Police Department (NYPD), a spokesperson said Thursday, as reported by New York Post.

The 18-second footage was posted on Twitter by NYC Scoop Thursday with a caption: "A detained EDP suspect is seen advising the @NYPDnews/@NYPD69Pct dispatcher on the radio that they will be escorting to Coney Island Hospital."

The undated footage was apparently shot in the back of an FDNY EMS ambulance. The video shows an NYPD officer holding his police radio up to the man, who can be seen lying strapped on a stretcher, handcuffed behind his back.

"Escorting EMS to Coney Island Hospital," the man says on the radio, while the sounds of officers holding laughter could be heard.

When the dispatcher asks the man: "In regards to what?" the officer directs him to reply, "the EDP." The dispatcher then enquires if "this due to 1847 Rockaway?" and the man says "10-4" parroting the officer. Meanwhile, several people could be heard bursting into laughter.

After the video was posted on Twitter, some viewers justified the officers saying they were just having some fun, and the action was to support the EDP patient. Some others said the action could however fetch suspension for the officers.

"Most likely did it to calm down the EDP and make him feel comfortable, I've done it with civilians when they wanted to experience what it'll be like to transmit on the radio," a viewer wrote, sharing his experience. "They're having some fun with the dude and he's safe that's all that matters!" another said.

Meanwhile, it is unclear if the officer is facing any disciplinary action in connection with the video. The footage could be a possible infringement of the patient's medical privacy rights. According to reports, the fact that the video was posted online could also violate FDNY and NYPD social media policies.