I don’t know if it’s true for NYC, but I can call an ambulance without getting the cops involved. I would have done that in this case.
In many communities calling for an ambulance means the police will be dispatched FIRST.The caller is neither notified nor given a choice.
Today’s police are either trained or under the impression that on their arrival everyone must immediately comply totally with any order of the officer ,no argument or explanations needed or tolerated. The officer must “control the scene”. Today’s police are way too aggressive;certainly nothing like most officers of my youth.