viewfromthebellybutton

To answer the question, cops are supposed to be trained to do so. That they erred in this case, and I would rather wait for the investigation to be concluded, however much it will be biased in favor of the police, is not in question. Was the error due to recklessness or “act of God” is what we will probably never know, considering the “thick-like-the-Great-Wall-of-China Blue Line”.

Now, for some real good advice: If someone you love “goes off” like this; call an ambulance, friends, a pastor…hell, your high school wrestling coach, anyone but the police! Have as many witnesses and filming of the incident as possible. And if you have a loved one who is potentially like this, please, for that person’s sake, and your own, find out if  your police department is specially trained and equipped to deal with the mentally ill. If they are not, get involved and fight until they are!

A couple of years ago, a Facebook friend posted what sounded very much like a suicide “threat” that hit my timeline. I called the Suicide Prevention Hotline and asked who I should call in his area; they gave me a number, which I called immediately. These wonderful people took all the info I had, but before I gave it to them, I asked if the police would have to be called. She said yes, along with social services and/or EMTs. I expressed my fear of police intervention, that I didn’t want this man who was already in pain to be hurt any further or worse. She knew EXACTLY what I was talking about, and assured me that the police in the area had specific training on how to deal with the mentally ill and the suicidal. Long story short, things went like they should, my friend is well, and no one got hurt. ALL this was done anonymously on my part; to this day, my friend does not know it was me, but the last person I talked to thanked me for very possibly having saved his life.

Folks…It just doesn’t get any better than that!