Warren PD participates in crisis-intervention training

WARREN — Two weeks ago, Warren police officers responded to a call involving a suicidal man standing outside in 14-degree weather in a T-shirt and sweatpants.

He had a gun to his head and told officers he “wanted to end it,” wanted “officers to shoot him.” After talking with a patrolman, however, he put down his gun and went quietly with police.

A trauma therapist from a Cortland counseling agency speaking with 15 Warren police officers this week during a training session said the man’s case isn’t uncommon.

“It’s easier to have you [police] do it than do it themselves,” Amber Stiles Bodnar of Blue Star Family Counseling Services said of the thoughts of suicidal people.

Training in how to approach such people can improve the odds that everyone will walk away safe.

For the complete story, read Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com