SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Dec. 9, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The Salt Lake City Police Department today released body-camera recordings of an officer-involved critical incident in which a naked man died after being handcuffed by SLCPD officers.
The incident happened on Nov. 21 when two calls came to dispatch reporting the naked man near the intersection of 800 South and 700 East. Video shows the man, now identified as 50-year-old John Giani, seated on the steps of a resident when officers approach.
The video images are blurred to hide Giani’s face and body. He appears on the steps of a residence, behind a wheelchair piled with personal belongings.
“Our officers acted quickly, providing Mr. Gianini with clothing and blankets to cover him to offer warmth, immediate aid, and comfort,” SLCPD Chief Mike Brown says, in a prepared statement released with the video.
Audio captures the man’s voice, mumbling and grunting incoherently. Police cover his lap with something from the piled items on the wheelchair, and tell him he must remain seated and covered until medical personnel arrive. An officer warns Giani he will cuffed if he continues attempts to change his position and possibly stand up.
Medical personnel were summoned to the scene, and two social workers also were dispatched to the scene.
Body camera video shows that Giani continues to shift positions. An officer pulls his arms behind him and Giani is placed in handcuffs as he grunts and moans.
“Very shortly after arriving on scene, officers requested the Salt Lake City Fire Department (SLCFD) and Gold Cross Ambulance respond for a psychological evaluation and medical treatment,” the SLCPD news release says. “Officers handcuffed Mr. Gianini shortly before paramedics arrived, as he repeatedly tried to stand despite instructions to remain seated during the investigation and while waiting for medical assistance.
“Officers on scene made the decision to ‘pink sheet’ Mr. Gianini. A pink sheet allows law enforcement to transport an individual for purposes of receiving further evaluation if they are deemed to pose an imminent danger to themselves or others. Officers were also conducting a criminal investigation into lewdness.
“Gold Cross Ambulance took Mr. Gianini to the hospital,” the SLCPD statement says. “Prior to transport, an officer removed one of the handcuffs from Mr. Gianini’s wrist, allowing his hands to come forward. The officer then affixed the other handcuff to the gurney to allow for a secure transport.”
SLCPD officers and social workers followed the ambulance in separate vehicles.
“Mr. Gianini’s condition worsened while being driven to the hospital. At 5:33 p.m., SLC911 created a call note indicating Gold Cross Ambulance requested SLCFD meet them at 400 South 900 East.
“Upon reviewing the official SLCFD recorded radio traffic, Gold Cross Ambulance reported to SLCFD that Mr. Gianini had altered mental status, low blood pressure, was hypothermic, and they could not get vitals. Despite lifesaving efforts, Mr. Gianini died at the hospital. Preliminarily, the time of death was reported at 5:48 p.m.”
This is the fourth SLCPD OICI protocol activation for 2024.
“The two SLCPD officers who interacted with Mr. Gianini are on paid administrative leave, which is a standard procedure. OICI Protocol Team 4 (West Jordan Police) is leading this investigation.”
The specific cause and manner of death is not yet known and will be determined by the medical examiner.
“Mr. Gianini’s last known address is at the South Salt Lake homeless resource center, located at 3380 South 1000 West. The National Weather Service (NWS) reported the air temperature in Salt Lake City to be 46 degrees just before 5 p.m.”
View the released body camera recordings footage and hear the dispatch calls in the links below.
