Confronting footage shows Kalgoorlie Health Campus patient choked by security
WARNING: Disturbing Content
Shocking footage has emerged of a security guard grabbing a hospital patient by the throat to forcibly restrain him at Kalgoorlie Health Campus.
Footage taken in the emergency room of a regional hospital on May 31 shows one of two security guards grabbing the man by the neck before laying him on the couch.
It is understood security guards entered the room in response to a “code black” announcement that can be called when medical staff feel threatened or need assistance from security.
Both guards in the vision have since been withdrawn by the employer Advanced Protection Plus, which holds the security contract at the Kalgoorlie Health Campus, which has more than $50 million in State Government contracts.
The incident, which is now being investigated by police, occurred in the emergency department’s low-alert room, which is designed to provide an isolated area from the rest of the emergency department.
In the footage, the patient, who appears unarmed, appears to have stretched out his arms after standing up and while taking 3-4 steps towards the security guards, one of the security guards grabs the man, reaches for his throat and throws him onto the couch.
The patient is pinned down and restrained by both security guards with his hands behind his back for more than 30 seconds before being pulled to the ground.
According to the Australian Standard, a “code black” is triggered when a person poses an immediate risk to the safety of themselves or others.
This is primarily a call for safety in cases of physical attack, violence, threats of harm or self-harm, violent verbal attack, armed intruders, or illegal occupation.
WA Country Health Service, which operates the Goldfields hospital, was unaware of the incident until contacted by The West Australian.
“The allegations made by Western Australia about contracted security personnel are extremely concerning and have been forwarded to WA Police,” they said.
“Although this incident involved contracted security personnel, we expect the highest standards from everyone serving on our premises.
“The safety, dignity and respectful treatment of every patient is of paramount importance to the WA Country Health Service.”
WACHS also issued a formal notice to the security agency demanding a response to “serious concerns about the conduct of its personnel.”
“The security personnel in question have been directed not to work on WACHS facilities and we can confirm that the contractor has stood them down while the matter is investigated,” a WACHS spokesperson said.
“These actions reflect the seriousness of WACHS’ view of these allegations.
“These steps were taken in addition to a referral to WA Police.”
Advanced Protection Plus managing director Matt Brennan confirmed the guards had been suspended.
“We have been made aware of an incident involving two of our staff at the Kalgoorlie Health Campus. We are taking the matter seriously and the staff member involved has been suspended pending investigation,” he said.
“Any behavior that does not comply with our organization’s standards will not be tolerated.”
WA Police also confirmed it had launched an investigation.
“Kalgoorlie Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident which occurred in Kalgoorlie on Sunday 31 May 2026,” a WA Police spokesperson said.
“(At around 4.15pm) it was reported that a male patient being treated at a hospital in Kalgoorlie was assaulted while being restrained by staff.
The matter was recently reported to the police and the investigation is ongoing.
Advanced Protection Plus has $47,200,354 worth of active WACHS security contracts in the Pilbara, Kimberley, Goldfields, Midwest, Wheatbelt and Southwest regions.
The company also has contracts with other State Government departments, including a $1,852,587 deal with the Department for Education for security at schools in Mandurah, Busselton and Hedland.
Additionally, its contract with the Department of Justice for adult community corrections centers in WA is worth $6,044,254.
In total, the company has $62,657,195 in active State Government contracts.
