A Tennessee man has filed an emergency petition asking a Tennessee court to order the Metropolitan Nashville Fire Department, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and a Nashville restaurant to preserve evidence from an incident in which he alleges emergency personnel ignored his repeated refusals of ambulance transport and subsequent medical treatment.

Robert Stephen Redley claims that an incident occurred between approximately 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on June 23, 2026, at Brewhouse 100, a restaurant and bar in Nashville. Metropolitan Nashville Police Department officers responded to the scene, and personnel from the Metropolitan Nashville Fire Department subsequently transported him by ambulance to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he remained until June 24 while receiving medical treatment.

The petition states that Redley anticipates filing a civil action asserting claims for civil rights violations, battery, and medical non-consent arising out of the incident. Central to the petition are allegations that Redley repeatedly refused both transportation and medical treatment. The filing alleges that during the incident he:

“…repeatedly, clearly, and verbally communicated his absolute protest and refusal regarding emergency transportation to MNPD and MNFD personnel, which protests were entirely ignored.”  

The petition further alleges that after arriving at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, he again repeatedly withheld consent for medical treatment, but that those objections likewise were ignored while he was subjected to invasive medical procedures.  

According to the filing, electronic recordings, dispatch records, medical records, and other documentation are expected to be significant evidence because they may document the petitioner’s alleged verbal refusals, the responses of emergency personnel, and the medical care that followed. Redley contends he requested that evidence be preserved administratively, but was advised by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department that a court order would be required before certain un-booked body camera recordings could be retained.  The petition alleges that Metro Nashville Police Department uses an automated retention policy under which “un-booked” body camera recordings—recordings that have not yet been formally associated with an incident or retained as evidence—are automatically deleted after seven days.

The petition emphasizes that it seeks preservation of evidence rather than an adjudication of any claims. It states:

“Petitioner seeks only preservation of existing evidence. Petitioner does not seek immediate production of records, adjudication of the merits of any claims, or any finding regarding liability.”  

Redley argues that immediate action is necessary because some categories of digital evidence may soon be deleted under routine retention policies. The requested preservation order covers an extensive range of evidence from each respondent.

From the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the petition seeks preservation of body-worn camera recordings, dashboard camera recordings, CAD records, MDT communications, 911 recordings, radio traffic, incident reports, investigative materials, photographs, witness statements, and other electronic records associated with the reported incident.  

As to the Metropolitan Nashville Fire Department, the requested evidence includes CAD records, dispatch recordings, radio communications, EMS patient care reports, narrative run sheets, triage notes, documentation relating to patient consent, restraint or refusal of treatment or transport, ambulance video recordings if available, and other electronic records concerning the transport.  

The petition also seeks preservation of Vanderbilt University Medical Center records, including electronic health records, nursing and physician documentation, medication administration records, security camera recordings, documentation relating to consent or refusal of treatment, and records concerning any physical or chemical restraints.  

Finally, the petition requests preservation of surveillance video, incident reports, manager logs, employee notes, and point-of-sale records maintained by Brewhouse 100 that relate to the incident or the response by emergency personnel.