WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT
Shocking vision has emerged of a security guard grabbing a hospital patient by the throat to forcibly restrain him in Kalgoorlie Health Campus.
The footage — taken inside the regional hospital’s emergency department on May 31 — shows one of two security workers present grab hold of the man by his neck before he is shoved on to a couch.
It’s understood the guards had entered the room in response to a “code black” announcement, which can be called anytime healthcare staff feel threatened or need assistance from security.
Both guards in the vision have since been stood down by employer Advanced Protection Plus, which holds the security contract at Kalgoorlie Health Campus, among more than $50 million in State Government contracts.
The incident — which is now being investigated by police — happened inside the emergency department low stimulus room, which is designed to provide an isolated space from the rest of the ED.
In the footage, the patient appears to be unarmed and has arms outstretched after he stands and takes three or four steps towards the security workers when one of them rushes the man and reaches for his throat, before throwing him down on the couch.
The patient is pinned for more than 30 seconds before being pulled to the floor and restrained by both security officers — with his hands behind his back.
According to the Australian Standard, a “code black” is triggered when an individual is an immediate risk to the safety of themself or others.
It is primarily a call for security in the case of physical assault, violence, threats of harm or self-harm, severe verbal aggression, armed intruders or illegal occupancy.
The WA Country Health Service, which runs the Goldfields hospital, was unaware of the incident until contacted by The West Australian.
“The allegations put forward by The West Australian around contracted security personnel are deeply concerning and have been referred to WA Police,” they said.
“While this incident involves contracted security staff, we expect the highest standards from everyone delivering services within our facilities.
“The safety, dignity and respectful treatment of every patient is of paramount importance to WA Country Health Service.”
WACHS has also issued a formal notice to the security agency requiring a response to “serious concerns regarding the conduct of their personnel”.
“They have been directed that the security staff in question are not to work at WACHS facilities and we can confirm the contractor has stood them down while the matter is being investigated,” a WACHS spokesperson said.
“These actions reflect the seriousness with which WACHS views these allegations.
“These steps have been taken on top of to the referral to WA Police.”
Advanced Protection Plus general manager Matt Brennan confirmed the guards had been stood down.
“We have been made aware of an incident at Kalgoorlie Health Campus involving two of our staff members. We are taking the matter seriously and the staff members concerned have been stood down, pending an investigation,” he said.
“Any behaviours that are not aligned with our organisation’s standards will not be tolerated.”
WA Police also confirmed it has opened an investigation.
“Kalgoorlie Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding an incident that occurred in Kalgoorlie on Sunday, May 31, 2026,” a WA Police spokesperson said.
“(At) about 4.15pm, a male patient receiving treatment at a hospital in Kalgoorlie was reportedly assaulted in the course of being restrained by staff.
“The matter was recently reported to police and inquiries are ongoing.”
Advanced Protection Plus holds active WACHS security contracts across the Pilbara, Kimberley, Goldfields, Midwest, Wheatbelt and Southwest regions worth $47,200,354.
The company also holds contracts with other State Government departments, including a $1,852,587 agreement with the Department of Education for security at schools in Mandurah, Busselton, and Hedland.
Additionally, its contract with the Department of Justice at adult community corrections centres across WA is worth $6,044,254.
In total, the company holds $62,657,195 in active State Government contracts.