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On January 26th, at about 3:00 pm, San Leandro Police were sent to help a man who scaled a telephone pole in the 14800 block of Lark Avenue. Officers arrived on the scene and located a man about 25 feet high standing on an electrical pole. Officers immediately recognized the man was having a mental health crisis and contemplating suicide.
SLPD acknowledges the importance of building rapport with those in crisis and aims to provide safety, hope, and help.
Officers Rocha and Albert (pictured) are two of our senior hostage negotiators, having received specialized training, including Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) assumed responsibility for this call. All members of this police department receive CIT training, but it was quickly determined these two officers would offer authentic assistance and provide the first step to helping the man in crisis. After about 25 minutes of negotiations, the man came down from the pole and was immediately provided mental health assistance.
On February 1st, at about 2:10 pm, San Leandro Police were sent to help a man having a mental health crisis on the 800 block of Davis Street. While headed to the call, officers learned the man in crisis was actively harming himself with a knife.
Officers arrived on the scene and made verbal contact with the man. The man was found to be inside an apartment occupied by other people. Officers Mendenhall and Albert (HNT) began to calm the man. After about 35 minutes, the man exited the apartment and met with officers and medical staff. We began to provide him with mental health assistance.
"This happens more often than we would like to hear about; however, we saw fit to highlight the compassionate work conducted by members of the San Leandro Police Department," said Lieutenant Matthew Barajas
If you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis, please call 9-1-1 or assist them to their closest open emergency room.
Please refer to the national suicide and crisis hotline if needed at 9-8-8.
Please visit the Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services website at: https://www.acbhcs.org/
Photo Credit by: Sumodog/ACFD
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