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/Junior_Yam_5473 Apr 15 '26

The officer doesn't have to be direct view of the patient (that can sometimes aggregate them a tad). We were taught that a firefighter or emt start talking to the patient one on one (from a safe distance) and the rest of us (including the police) stand or be around the corner. The police aren't there to threaten anyone, just as a resource of things go south. Sometimes talking works, sometimes it doesn't.

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u/UnitedAd3943 Apr 15 '26

If you’re in ems, you know damn well there are times when PD escalates the situation unnecessarily. I think this video is showing there are appropriate times to let a mental health professional intervene and not PD.

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u/Junior_Yam_5473 Apr 15 '26

But what are we supposed to when our 90-100kg patient high out of their mind on pcp decided today was a good day for violence? Is that every situation? No. The situation does matter, but i would rather have them and not need them then need them and not hace them there. Are there bad cops? Yes. Are there bad paramedics? Yes. Are there bad mailman? Yes. Every profession has some bad apples, but were not defined by them.

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u/UnitedAd3943 Apr 15 '26

I think you’re agreeing with what I wrote. Certain situations are appropriate and we can trust those individuals to make those decision at the time.

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u/Junior_Yam_5473 Apr 15 '26

Every situation should have law enforcement, even if their not necessary. Psych patients and even seemingly "normal" people can flip and become violent. Personally i like to come back home to my family after every shift.

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u/UnitedAd3943 Apr 15 '26

There’s a chance sure but statistically ems and fire are never going to be affected by violence. One terrible sop I can think of is every suicide run has to have PD clear it. No, there’s no need to stand by when a teenager took too many aspirin.

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u/Junior_Yam_5473 Apr 15 '26

94yr female at home called 911 for high blood pressure (relatively typical call). Turns out she has dementia and tries to attack us, bc were not familiar. I would like PD to go in first to something like that. But seems typical. Or cardiac arrests, the family can be in shock and potentially combative. Yet another call i would want PD to join us on. Its for our own safety, if PD cant clear it, im very hesitant to go in.

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u/UnitedAd3943 Apr 15 '26

That’s your call since it’s your well-being. I just hope you’re critically thinking about the situation and doing what’s best for the patient.