Police officers respond to several dangerous situations each day. Though the word “routine” is commonly used to describe a law enforcement response, every cop knows nothing is routine — especially when the call involves an individual experiencing a mental health crisis. There are, however, people in leadership positions who argue that police should not handle incidents involving emotionally disturbed persons.
Let’s consider a recent incident in Manhattan’s 33rd Street PATH Station.
A 53-year-old man entered an elevator in the station and activated the emergency switch. He then began lighting fires inside the elevator. PATH Command Police Officers Patrick Gu and Christopher Ferreira responded, along with PAPD Emergency Service Unit (ESU) Truck 5 and the FDNY.
PAPD ESU opened the elevator and extinguished the fire. Officers Gu and Ferreira entered, where the man violently resisted but was eventually subdued after a struggle.
With the man in custody, the FDNY conducted a thorough inspection, after which FDNY fire marshals cleared the elevator for operation.
For those who do not do this work, it might be viewed as a violent incident they would rather avoid. For the officers, it might be considered “routine” — but the story doesn’t end there.
While in the elevator lighting fires, the man defecated, urinated and released other bodily fluids, smearing those excretions throughout the space.
All in a day’s work for first responders.