Police fear 'suicide by cop' cases. will no longer check on your suicidal family member

[Demovictory9]

Police fear ‘suicide by cop’ cases. So they’ve stopped responding to some calls

GRAEAGLE, CALIF. — Before George Quinn wrapped a chain around the rafters of his wood shop and hanged himself in June, he texted his big sister goodbye.

“This is the hardest part,” wrote the reclusive 63-year-old master carpenter, who lived alone with his elderly cat, Sam, in this Northern California mountain town. “Sorry for everything. You should call the Plumas Co sheriff and have them go to the garage.”

Carol Quinn dialed law enforcement from her home near Reno, more than an hour away, desperate for them to save her brother’s life.

The answer she received was startling: Deputies were no longer responding to calls like hers, because the situation could end as a “suicide by cop.”

“Go to the garage” could be a hint at an ambush, a deputy told her. She would have to try to reach her brother on her own.

“We were flabbergasted,” Carol said. “I think almost anyone assumes when you call the sheriff’s office for help that you’re going to get some help. And they refused to go.”

“I think almost anyone assumes when you call the sheriff’s office for help that you’re going to get some help. And they refused to go.”

Plumas County is not the only jurisdiction in California that is rethinking how it responds to suicide calls. Some small and midsize law enforcement agencies across the state have stopped responding to certain calls because of the potential dangers to both officers and the person attempting to end his or her life. They also present a financial liability from lawsuits — especially if the situation turns violent.

Other departments, including the Los Angeles police and sheriff’s and San Francisco police, use “disengagement” strategies that allow them to leave calls without confronting someone in crisis. These tactics are used most often when the person is alone and does not present a threat to anyone else, and no crime is being committed.

“In too many instances, we show up and further aggravate a crisis situation,” Plumas County Sheriff-Coroner Greg Hagwood said. “And then, in the end, bad things happen.”

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-08-09/suicide-calls-california-cops-stopped-responding

[dalton99a]

1. And don't kill your family member by calling 911

in such situations

[safeinOhio]

2. Fire Departments might be better prepared for rescues.

They are more in the business of saving lives.

[live love laugh]

3. "Police fear" ... when did police become so delicate?

They fear people of color, shoot and literally get away with 16 shots ... and now they fear another group.

How long before they do nothing at all?

[Kaleva]

5. Supreme Court has ruled that the police don't have a constitutional duty to protect.

[live love laugh]

6. So what is their purpose? bt

[dumbcat]

9. Enforce the will of the Rulers. n/t

[live love laugh]

11. Very unfortunate. nt

[Mariana]

13. To enforce the law.

"Protect and serve" was nice PR for the cops, but it was never actually part of the job description.

[Kaleva]

17. As another member mentioned, their purpose is to uphold and enforce the law.

Assisting citizens in need is optional.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

4. Good.

Many cops in my area would probably make me more suicidal in that situation anyway.

A suicidal person would probably be "one of the assholes they see everyday", or something along those lines.

[malaise]

7. They only confront pregnant women who want

an abortion. From the minute you're born, you're on your own

[RandiFan1290]

8. Police are useless thugs

Last edited Sun Aug 11, 2019, 09:33 AM - Edit history (1)

They've only caused more problems any time we called them for help.

[lpbk2713]

10. "To serve and protect ... If we feel like it."

And forget about during lunch and coffee breaks.

[KentuckyWoman]

12. Police aren't there to protect and serve YOU

They are there to protect and serve the governmental body who pays them. They enforce the laws of the state at direction of their bosses. Generally, protecting citizens from the harmful acts of other people is part of that direction. But protecting you from yourself isn't.

Ultimately they report to the citizens, but not directly. If you want change in police policies, then you have to either work with the government leaders you have, or get new ones.


As far as suicides. Police do their best, but they aren't psychiatrists. Unless someone else is being put in harm's way there isn't a reason to be involved. Small governments hit by lawsuits are breaking municipalities. They've had to make some tough choices.

I'll add a good bit of this is of their own making. Police generally have failed to weed out the shitheads from among them. Now there is such an environment of distrust that is it a no win for anyone. We need a police force we can trust. But if a young black man waves a toy gun around in a public park and gets himself suicided by cop - a large amount of citizens will count to toward cops who deserve jail for murder. There are more benefit of the doubts available to anyone.

[live love laugh]

16. The new symbol for American government ...

The “finger”. 🖕🏼

[Downtown Hound]

14. But remember, we're supposed to put up with their rampant brutality, profiling, murder, harassment,

and support and enabling of fascism because, when we really need a cop, one will be there to save our lives. And won't we just all feel so bad about all those times we bad mouthed them when that time comes?

LOL. Yeah, right.

[DVRacer]

15. It happened locally not long ago

Police were called to a suicidal person. They arrived to see a mid twenties male with a long sword in his front yard. After several attempts to get him to put it down he charged an officer ala Braveheart. He was shot and killed. The family went on to sue the department and won even though they were in accordance with rules of engagement. The jury said they felt the police escalated the situation. The man needed help and when I saw the video understood the jury. So many shouted commands from three different officers he grew agitated. Now enter some of the new Red Flag laws where police are going to be compelled to take guns away. I have a really bad feeling what is going to be the outcome on several of those. As noted above police are not shrinks. In Maryland earlier this year they preformed a red flag warrant against an older man in a predawn raid. Due to confusion and not announcing themselves as police the man grabbed his gun when he heard a loud noise outside his door. Police gunned him down.
I again will say Do Not give more power to law enforcement they will abuse it.

[live love laugh]

18. I have seen repeated instances where multiple

cops at a scene create confusion even causing the loss of life.

In the Laquan McDonald shooting the murdering officer was one of the last on the scene and the first and only one to pull and fire a gun. Video shows his trip to the crime scene where he basically arrives, doesn’t talk to anybody else pulls a gun and shoots—16 times.

There is a critical need for the establishment of protocol when multiple units arrive so everyone knows who’s in charge.

[Hortensis]

19. Hostiles are part of the reason and should read the article.

[dflprincess]

20. The city I live in is working on a plan that would include a mental health professional

along with the police when 911 has been made aware they may be needed (or the police will also have the option of asking someone be sent after they get to a scene). I believe this has been tried in other areas with success.

Tbe city is hoping to partner with other jurisdictions in the area on this.