Broward Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit detectives arrested a Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue lieutenant accused of battering a patient while on duty.

On January 31, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue personnel responded to a medical call in the area near the intersection of Northwest First Street and Northwest 31st Avenue in unincorporated Central Broward. When the rescue crew arrived, they saw the patient, Alan MacPhee, 65, sitting in a wheelchair, and they placed him on a stretcher.

SVU detectives said while the patient was being evaluated, BSFR Lt. Carlos Lewin got into a verbal argument with him. At that point, detectives said Lt. Lewin instructed the two firefighters who were with him on the call to place MacPhee in the rescue vehicle where there are no cameras.

While the firefighters were obtaining MacPhee’s vital signs, they told investigators Lt. Lewin grabbed the patient’s head and forcefully struck it against the stretcher for about 30 seconds. Additionally, the firefighters said, Lt. Lewin used his fingers to press into MacPhee’s eyes and struck his head against the stretcher again.

The firefighters reported the incident, and Lt. Lewin was relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave with pay while the allegations were investigated.

Following the investigation and taking sworn statements from the firefighters and the patient, detectives obtained a warrant for Lt. Lewin’s arrest on April 23. Lewin was arrested Thursday afternoon at the Public Safety Building and faces two counts of battery on a person 65-years-old or older.

“The arrest of our fire lieutenant demonstrates our commitment to holding our own accountable for their unlawful actions. The public can rest assured that internal due process will be fair, and any resulting discipline will be appropriate and consistent with policy,” Sheriff Dr. Gregory Tony said. “I applaud the two firefighters who reported this incident. We will continue to hold each other to the highest standards and serve the public with professionalism.”

Lt. Lewin is currently suspended without pay.