Warren, Michigan – On Easter, Warren police officers responded to multiple 911 calls about a man attempting to jump from an overpass.
Callers reported seeing a man climbing the fence above I-696 at the Groesbeck interchange.
“There’s a guy on the fence, like I don’t know if he’s going to jump off of it,” one caller told dispatch.
Body camera footage shows officers arriving and finding a 32-year-old man sitting on top of the fence, preparing to jump.
Officers quickly began crisis intervention, speaking calmly and using empathy to try to de-escalate the situation.
Lt. John Gajewski of the Warren Police Department said the officers’ response showed their training in emotional intelligence and communication.
“For nearly five minutes, they worked to connect with him,” Gajewski said.
He explained that officers regularly undergo scenario-based training to prepare for moments like this.
“You see the officers talk to this man adult to adult, not as a suspect,” he added.
Eventually, the officers convinced the man to come down safely.
The man was taken to a hospital for mental health evaluation. He is now back home.
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