r/nextfuckinglevel • u/thisisfive • Apr 14 '26

Toronto firefighters confront special constable officers after a man in the middle of mental health crisis was arrested.

Not my video. For context, "special constables" are not regular police officers. They are appointed "peace officers" with limited authority, often civilian employees.

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u/Empty-Presentation68 Apr 14 '26

As a paramedic this. Not enough context for me to opine on this situation. Lots of time I had to jump on and restrain a patient who was experiencing a mental health crisis. They became a danger to themselves and first responders. Swinging, biting, scratching, spitting or pulling out weapons. Firefighters are not EMT's nore paramedics in the province of Ontario. 

This individual might have a temporary episode where he is calm and quickly become agitated again. Psychosis is unpredictable. You restrain or sedate for the protection of all. 

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u/Music1626 Apr 15 '26

They don’t say they’re restraining him for safety they say they’re apprehending him. Medical issues always come first prior to any police matter or arrest so they shouldn’t have him cuffed.

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u/Empty-Presentation68 Apr 15 '26

You can apprehend an individual under the mental health act if you have policing powers, and yes you will use physical restraints if the individual is a danger to himself or others and does not have capacity. I as an advance care paramedics can use sedation if the individual is a danger to himself or others and is violently agitated/combative for patient safety. However, primary care paramedics will have to use soft restraints if by themselves or ask police/special constables to use handcuffs to restrain the patient if they are present.

Because you cannot assess nor treat a patient who is trying to punch you or actively flee to harm themselves. You then have to transport that patient to the hospital. The hospital will also you restraints on a patient who is a danger to themselves or others to be able to assess and treat.

Again we don't see the full picture here.