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Hatchet incident sparks new protocols between hospital, police

After police officers dropped off a man at the Sault Area Hospital who was later swinging a hatchet around the emergency department last year, Sault Police say they’ve updated their protocols with the hospital
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File photo. Sault Area Hospital (SAH). Darren Taylor/SooToday

Sault Police spokesperson Lincoln Louttit says the police service and the Sault Area Hospital have updated their protocols after the hospital's emergency department was forced to lock down during a hatchet swinging incident last year.

Armed with a hatchet and knife, Richard Mullen was swinging a hatchet at the hospital on the night of Feb. 3, 2022, forcing patients to evacuate the area.

According to Linda Richardson’s court coverage earlier this week, prosecutor Matthew Caputo says the police had taken Mullen to the hospital prior to the incident, where arrangements were made for him to meet with a crisis worker.

An hour later, Mullen was swinging a hatchet and striking the emergency room wall according to the assistant Crown attorney.

Louttit provided the following statement on the situation:

“Following the incident, there was discussion between police officials and Sault Area Hospital officials about protocols moving forward,” he says. “Protocols have been reviewed and updated accordingly. Those discussions are ongoing.”

Mullen remains in custody on other charges.


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