• Example: patient was calm and talking to EMS. Once PD entered the scene, standard procedure, patient becomes very agitated and begins to refuse transport. IMO: PD should’ve stayed out of sight, but, prepared.

    More than 30 years on the road I’ve always said that cops shouldn’t be “first in” to secure the scene. EMS and/or trained mental health professionals should try to manage.

    Obviously, occasionally the patient has a weapon. Yet, I’d also like to see a plain clothes officer first. A patient certainly will react to a couple cops in uniform.