Berkeley Cops Rescue Suicidal Person From 5-Story Roof

BERKELEY, CA — Several officers who kept their cool and demonstrated compassion amid tense circumstances are being credited with saving the life of a person who threatened suicide earlier this month, police said.

Officers responded at about 5 p.m. on March 6 to witness report of a person threatening to jump from the roof of a 5-story parking garage, police said.

Upon arrival, officers found an individual sitting on the garage ledge and threatening to jump, police said.

A responding officer immediately made contact and began speaking with and de-escalating the situation.

Among the responding officers was a police sergeant with 18 years on the force who is a trained Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) member, and a former Special Response Team tactical negotiator who after patiently talking to the person convinced them to return to safety.

“The individual walked towards the Sergeant and was immediately overcome with emotion and began crying,” the Berkeley Police Department said in a statement.

“We commend this sergeant, and all the officers on this call, for their exceptional efforts to save the life of this community member.”

The following resources are available to anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or mental health issues or knows of someone who is:

• National Suicide Prevention Hotline – (800) 273-8255
• Berkeley Mental Health Mobile Crisis Team works 11am-9pm and is dispatched by the BPD Dispatch center – (510) 981-5900
• Berkeley Mental Health also provides mental health services, resources, and crisis support through their triage line, (510) 981-5244, Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, or via walk in clinic hours at 1521 University Avenue, Monday-Thursday 10am-1pm
• Berkeley PD is available 24 hours via our Dispatch Center, or call 911