CA Officers and Behavioral Health Specialists Prevent "Suicide by Cop"

A collaboration between Rialto, CA, police and the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health Monday helped de-escalate a situation where police say a man was threatening “suicide by cop.”

Just before noon, officers were called to a home on East Huff Street by someone stating that a loved one, a 37-year-old man, had threatened to harm himself with a knife and had reportedly made comments he wanted the police to shoot him, according to a police statement.

Detective David Padilla, a crisis negotiator with the Inland Valley SWAT team, tried to speak to the distraught man, officials said. After some time, Padilla requested the Triage Engagement Support Team — known as TEST — come to the location.

The TEST team is made up of Rialto police officers and two behavioral health specialist who have been assigned to the department five days a week to assist with crisis situations, the Press-Enterprise reports.