The Belleville Police Services Board has commended seven officers for their collaboration in saving the life of a a female in July. They are PC Michelle Harper, PC Erik Fernandes, PC Kyle Dodds, PC Steve Cooke, PC Chad Stein, Sergeant Dave Johnson, and Acting Staff Sergeant Kyle King.
A description of the incident is below.
At approximately 9:20 p.m. on July 8, 2024, officers Michelle Harper and Erik Fernandes responded to a report of a suicidal female in the area surrounding Zwick’s Park. They quickly located a female sitting on a small concrete light post at the top of the Bay Bridge. The post was outside the railing and the female’s legs were dangling over the side. She was armed with a knife and would not let officers come near her.
Constables Harper and Fernandes began to negotiate with her along with Constable Dodds who had arrived at the scene a few minutes later. Constable Cooke and A/S/Sgt. King also arrived to assist, joined by Crisis Negotiators Sgt. Johnson and Constable Stein who were called in to assume their roles as trained negotiators. Belleville Fire and Rescue also attended and staged a boat under the bridge as a precaution.
As negotiations continued, Constable Cooke and A/S/Sgt. King, both members of the BPS Emergency Response Unit, began to plan for a rescue in the event the female attempted to jump or fell after a prolonged period of sitting on the small platform. At approximately 11:18 p.m., almost two hours after the initial call was received, the female who was using a marijuana vape, dropped the knife in the water, put the vape in her pocket, and handed her phone to Constable Stein. The officers quickly determined that she was about to jump from the bridge and Constable Stein moved in and held her against the railing while the other officers secured her, then pulled her over onto the bridge as she was resisting their efforts to help her. She was taken to hospital for treatment and was physically unharmed as a result of the ordeal.
The collective efforts of the officers in patiently negotiating with the female in crisis, formulating a rescue plan, and taking action when required ensured her safety and saved her from serious injury or death. The incident highlighted good teamwork and professionalism.
It’s worth noting that at the time of the incident, Constable Harper had less than eight months on the job and Constable Fernandes had just over one year.
Belleville Police Services Board September 19 2024. (Photo: Quinte News)
