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You all, I can't sleep and am still shook right now after seeing how quick an officer escalated a clear mental health crisis tonight.
At about 10:00pm across the street there was a loud commotion, shattering of glass, lots of yelling, swearing, crying, pounding on a door.
1/x
At about 10:00pm across the street there was a loud commotion, shattering of glass, lots of yelling, swearing, crying, pounding on a door.
1/x
I go over and see if the young woman is okay, if there is someone I can call to help, if she needs a towel or bandages for her hand.
She is clearly distraught and in a crisis. She yells at how parents are supposed to help their kids. How they are supposed to protect them.
2/x
She is clearly distraught and in a crisis. She yells at how parents are supposed to help their kids. How they are supposed to protect them.
2/x
A few moments later, an unmarked car speeds up the driveway and an officer gets out.
At this time, the young woman is yelling at the house about being raped. About needing to get her stuff from the house and her pet.
This is when I start recording what is happening.
3/x
At this time, the young woman is yelling at the house about being raped. About needing to get her stuff from the house and her pet.
This is when I start recording what is happening.
3/x
The officer charges her, and as she begins to walk away, he throws her to the ground and kneels on her. He gets up still holding her arm.
She screams stop touching me. I'm sick of people touching me. He eventually lets go of her.
4/x
She screams stop touching me. I'm sick of people touching me. He eventually lets go of her.
4/x
So when the officer arrived on the scene, instead of calling for a female officer after hearing rape, instead of ensuring safety & then calling for a mental health specialist, instead of giving space and talking...
The officer went hands on & escalated the situation.
5/x
The officer went hands on & escalated the situation.
5/x
By this time, three squad cars with a total of 5 officers are here. A couple of the officers are doing what I would consider strong de-escalation strategies. Showing concern, asking questions, giving space.
Then first officer comes back and the situation escalates again.
6/x
Then first officer comes back and the situation escalates again.
6/x
Woman: I just need to go.
First officer (who threw her to the ground): No, You'll go when we say you are ready to go
Woman: Why? Am I being detained?
Officer: Yes, officially.
Woman: Why?
Officer: Because I said so
7/x
First officer (who threw her to the ground): No, You'll go when we say you are ready to go
Woman: Why? Am I being detained?
Officer: Yes, officially.
Woman: Why?
Officer: Because I said so
7/x
Two officers come to me to ask what I saw and if I was the one who called the police. I said no. That I was here trying to offer help and that my concern was it was someone in a clear mental health crisis that needed help.
8/x
8/x
That first officer just dismisses the mental health component and tells me, No. It's just drugs.
I reply: which is often a sign of a mental health crises.
He just shakes his head and walks away.
9/x
I reply: which is often a sign of a mental health crises.
He just shakes his head and walks away.
9/x
Eventually they let the woman walk away on her own. I pray that she is okay and gets the help she needs.
I pray that there is someone who will listen to her and support her tonight. That she finds peace.
10/x
I pray that there is someone who will listen to her and support her tonight. That she finds peace.
10/x
I am choosing not to share the video. These types of videos often trigger trauma for others. No need for that.
You can be sure as hell though I'll be filing a complaint with the White Bear Lake police & notifying others in the morning with the full 17 minute video.
11/x
You can be sure as hell though I'll be filing a complaint with the White Bear Lake police & notifying others in the morning with the full 17 minute video.
11/x
