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A Massachusetts State Police (MSP) trooper saved a man who was preparing to jump off the Tobin BridgeThe officer talked to the man, who was “in a mental health crisis” for 90 minutes, then grabbed and ushered him to safetyBody cam footage of the incident was shared to Facebook by MSP to shine a light on the importance of mental health
A police officer in Massachusetts saved a man who was preparing to jump from a 250-foot bridge.
The recent incident occurred on the Tobin Bridge and involved “a person in mental health crisis,” per a Facebook post from Massachusetts State Police (MSP) shared on Thursday, Dec. 11.
Body cam footage shared in the post shows an officer — who was later identified as Trooper Rassan Charles of the State Police crisis unit — reassuring the man as he stands on the bridge over the water.
“Nothing to worry about, man, nothing to be ashamed of. Get through some tough times,” Charles can be heard telling the man.
“That’s that beacon of hope, the light that you have in you right now,” Charles says in the video. “Hold on to that. Don’t let that go. Nobody knows what you went through.”
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“You’ve been through so much, you’re still standing strong,” he continues. “You’re not a quitter.”
“I’m not a quitter,” the man can then be heard responding.
The man also says he’s “sorry” to the officers present, at which point Charles says, “That’s what we do. We’re here for you.”
Tobin Bridge in Massachusetts.
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Charles then seizes an opportunity to grab the man and usher him to safety.
In the caption that accompanied the video, MSP said they were sharing the footage “to raise awareness of the important issue of mental health.”
“If you or someone you know needs support during the holidays, or any time of year, please call or text 988. You never walk alone,” they added.
While speaking during a press conference about the incident shared by CBS BostonCharles said he was initially focussed on keeping the man — a father of two who had just lost his job — calm during what was ultimately a 90-minute encounter.
“At the onset, he was like, ‘So I’m going to jump, I’m going to jump.’ And I told him, ‘I just want to talk. It’s you and I. Just focus on my voice. Stay with me,’ ” Charles recalled.
“I did show compassion, meet him at this level … We’re here to help. We’re in this together,” Charles said.
The incident occurred just three weeks after Charles underwent a new state training program designed to help officers deescalate situations involving mental health crises, per CBS Boston.
“(Charles’ actions during the incident should be used as an example) of what should be done,” said Dr. Joanne Barros of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health during the press conference. “It’s about being there as a law enforcement partner, but really connecting with the individual as a human.”
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